Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum is facing a social media firestorm after a playful-turned-polarizing interaction with a fan wearing a Caitlin Clark shirt at a recent game.
Ahead of this past weekend’s matchup against the Chicago Sky at Crypto.com Arena, Plum spotted the fan courtside and, in a move intended to rally team spirit, promptly delivered some Los Angeles Sparks gear, telling her to change.
“You can’t be wearing that in the gym,” the three-time All-Star reportedly said, adding, “… Next time, do better.” While Plum likely intended it as lighthearted banter, the viral video quickly ignited a fierce debate online, with many fans blasting her actions as unnecessary and fueled by “hate.”
Fans lashed out at Kelsey Plum
“The hate CC gets is corny…” commented analyst Ro Parrish, echoing a sentiment widely shared across social media platforms. Another user remarked, “Kelsey used to be cool,” suggesting a shift in public perception.
The backlash intensified with comments like, “Caitlin’s just there to hoop… causes no drama… no negativity… nothing. The Hate is sooooo forced.”
However, not everyone viewed Plum’s actions negatively. Some fans defended her, framing it as standard sports rivalry. “This isn’t that crazy, that’s like wearing a LeBron jersey courtside to Knicks vs Bulls,” one person pointed out.
Another added, “If you ever been on a sports team you know there’s nothing wrong with this at all.” A supporter even praised Plum for generating buzz: “I like that Plum is causing some noise. Take advantage of all the eyes on the league for once. She’s a baller @kelseyplum10.”
Plum remains in the sights of fans
The interaction came hot on the heels of the Sparks’ recent victory over Clark’s Indiana Fever just a few nights prior, which might explain Plum’s heightened desire for home-court loyalty.
Despite her strong feelings and a personal 24-point performance, Plum’s courtside defense wasn’t enough, as the Sparks ultimately fell to the Sky 92-85. Fans will be watching closely when the Sparks and Fever face off again on July 5 in Indiana, live on NBA TV, to see if the on-court rivalry continues to spill over.
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