New York Liberty respond to Kelsey Plum’s criticism

Las Vegas’ Kelsey Plum ties up New York’s Jonquel Jones during the 2023 WNBA Finals. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The New York Liberty players were displeased with Kelsey Plum’s criticism of their team after the WNBA Finals. Plum, a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, questioned the Liberty’s ability to build a superteam in a short amount of time, contrasting it with the Aces’ years of effort.

In addition, Plum raised concerns about the team mentality of the Liberty, claiming that they prioritize individual play over teamwork. Her comments stirred up controversy among the Liberty players, who expressed their disappointment in Plum’s behavior.

Jonquel Jones described Plum’s comments as classless and accused her of taking advantage of the Liberty’s loss. Sabrina Ionescu defended the team, emphasizing their strong commitment to each other and their collective goal of winning despite coming together as a team in a short period of time.

Breanna Stewart, on the other hand, chose not to respond directly to Plum’s criticism. Instead, she praised the Aces for their performance and displayed sportsmanship by congratulating them on their victory.

The head coach of the Liberty, Sandy Brondello, refuted Plum’s claims and defended her team, stating that they have grown close in a short time and Plum’s comments were unfounded.

Plum later clarified her remarks on social media, explaining that her intention was to highlight the bond and resilience of her teammates, rather than to criticize the Liberty. She apologized for any misunderstanding and expressed her desire for the focus to remain on the team’s significant achievement.