The spotlight was supposed to be on the scoreboard at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Instead, it landed squarely on a postgame press conference that has everyone talking. For the first time in the WNBA’s 26-year history, Indianapolis hosted the WNBA All-Star Game, and fans witnessed history both on and off the court.
Team Collier dominated Team Clark 151-131, powered by Napheesa Collier’s explosive 36-point performance. But the real fireworks came from an unexpected source: Kelsey Plum’s postgame comments about a pregame solidarity movement that has divided social media.
How Did Kelsey Plum Call Out Team Clark’s Absence?
The drama started before tipoff when several All-Stars made a bold statement during warmups. Players across both teams wore black T-shirts emblazoned with “Pay Us What You Owe Us,” showing solidarity amid ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. This public display came just two days after 40 players met with the WNBA for the latest round of CBA talks.
However, the focus quickly shifted from the message to who wasn’t part of it. During her press conference, Kelsey Plum supported the movement but added a detail that raised eyebrows across the basketball world.
“It was a very powerful moment. As players, we didn’t know that that was going to happen. It was a genuine surprise. The t-shirt, just united front, was determined this morning that we had a meeting for. Not to tattletale but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that,” said Plum during the interview.
KP: “It was a very powerful moment. As players, we didn’t know that that was going to happen. It was a genuine surprise. The t shirt was determined this morning. Not to tattletale: 0 members of Team Clark were very present for that” https://t.co/2fXgaAuqMR pic.twitter.com/awIfnqLjxv
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 20, 2025
Plum’s remark immediately ignited social media, with fans interpreting her words as a direct criticism of Caitlin Clark’s squad. The phrase “not to tattletale” suggested she knew exactly how controversial her comment would be, yet she chose to share it anyway.
How Did Fans React to Plum’s Controversial Statement?
The response was swift and largely negative. Many fans saw Plum’s comment as unnecessary drama during what should have been a unifying moment for the league. The timing particularly frustrated supporters who felt this played into ongoing narratives about tension between established players and rising stars like Clark.
“Always find a way to hate on the golden girl lol,” said one fan, capturing the sentiment that many WNBA veterans unfairly target Clark.
Always find a way to hate on the golden girl lol
— Adog (@Adog00YouTube) July 20, 2025
Others questioned Plum’s motivation for bringing up Team Clark’s absence when the focus should have remained on the broader labor movement. The criticism centered on why she felt compelled to single out one team’s participation rather than celebrating the solidarity that did exist.
“What’s her point in bringing that up?” said one user, while another asked, “Why would she even say that?”
What’s her point in bringing that up?
— Do What’s Right (@do_whats_rite) July 20, 2025
Despite the backlash, some fans offered a more charitable interpretation of the situation. They suggested that Team Clark’s absence might have been due to poor communication rather than a lack of support for the cause.
No members of Team Clark were there probably because they didn’t know about it!
— Rip Griffin (@RipGriffin3) July 20, 2025
One fan stated, “No members of Team Clark were there probably because they didn’t know about it!”
This theory isn’t far-fetched. Team Collier was stacked with player leadership. Besides Plum (first vice president of WNBA Players Association), the team included Nneka Ogwumike (president of the Players Association), Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart. All of whom hold executive roles within the union. With so much leadership concentrated on one squad, it’s plausible that Team Clark’s members weren’t entirely in the loop.
The controversy has sparked broader conversations about unity within the league during crucial CBA negotiations. At a time when player solidarity could strengthen their bargaining position, public comments about internal divisions might undermine their collective efforts.
