# The New NBA 2K Features WNBA Players, and Caitlin Clark Just Put LeBron on a Poster—LeBron Might Request a Trade After This
The gaming world and basketball fandom collectively lost their minds when NBA 2K24 announced that WNBA players would be fully integrated into the game’s flagship modes, including Play Now and MyCareer. But no one expected the chaos that would ensue when Iowa Hawkeyes sensation and soon-to-be WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark posterized none other than LeBron James in a viral gameplay clip. The internet erupted, memes flooded timelines, and jokes about LeBron demanding a trade from the virtual Lakers started trending. If this is the future of basketball gaming, then the NBA—and the WNBA—are in for an era of unprecedented crossover appeal.
For years, NBA 2K has been the gold standard for basketball simulation games, but one glaring omission was the lack of full integration for WNBA players. Sure, previous editions allowed gamers to play as WNBA teams in exhibition matches, but the league’s stars were largely excluded from the game’s most popular modes. That all changed with NBA 2K24, which not only added WNBA players to the roster pool but also allowed them to compete against NBA players in head-to-head matchups.
This move was long overdue. The WNBA has been growing in popularity, with rising stars like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart becoming household names. But Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most electrifying talents in basketball history, was the final piece needed to make this integration feel monumental. Her inclusion in the game—even before her official WNBA debut—signaled that 2K was serious about bridging the gap between the leagues.
Then came the clip that broke the internet. A gameplay video surfaced showing Caitlin Clark, playing for a custom team, driving baseline against LeBron James in a Play Now matchup. What happened next was pure carnage: Clark elevated, cocked the ball back, and threw down a vicious one-handed dunk right in LeBron’s face. The animation was flawless—LeBron’s stumble, Clark’s swagger afterward, the crowd losing its mind. It was the kind of highlight that would dominate SportsCenter for a week if it happened in real life.
Social media exploded. “Caitlin Clark just ended LeBron’s career,” one tweet read. “LeBron about to demand a trade from the Lakers… in real life,” joked another. Even Clark herself reacted, tweeting, “Well… that was fun .” The clip perfectly encapsulated why this integration matters—it’s not just about representation, but about the sheer entertainment of seeing the best basketball players in the world, regardless of league or gender, competing on the same virtual court.
Of course, the funniest fallout from the clip was the running gag that LeBron, known for his occasional frustration with his team’s roster, would take this virtual humiliation personally. Memes circulated of LeBron texting his agent, Rich Paul, with demands like, “Get me out of here. I can’t guard her.” Others imagined him storming into the 2K developers’ office, demanding a patch to nerf Clark’s dunk rating.
While it’s all in good fun, the joke speaks to a larger truth: LeBron is one of the most competitive athletes ever, and even in a video game, getting posterized by a rookie—even one as talented as Clark—would sting. If nothing else, the clip proves that the inclusion of WNBA players in NBA 2K isn’t just a token addition—it’s changing the way people engage with basketball culture.
Beyond the memes, the inclusion of WNBA players in NBA 2K24 is a significant step forward for sports gaming. For years, female athletes have been underrepresented in video games, often relegated to separate modes or excluded entirely. By allowing WNBA players to compete directly against NBA players, 2K is normalizing the idea that elite basketball is elite basketball, regardless of gender.
This move also opens the door for more young fans—especially young girls—to see themselves represented in gaming. If a kid can now create a MyPlayer in the WNBA or lead Sue Bird past Steph Curry for a game-winning three, it reinforces the idea that women’s basketball is just as exciting and valid as the men’s game. And for the players themselves, being in NBA 2K is a mark of legitimacy—proof that their skills are being recognized on the biggest gaming stage.
If this is just the beginning, the future of basketball gaming looks brighter than ever. Imagine a MyCareer mode where you can choose to start in the WNBA and then jump to the NBA (or vice versa). Picture All-Star games featuring the best players from both leagues. Envision Caitlin Clark and Luka Dončić teaming up in a custom franchise. The possibilities are endless, and if this viral clip is any indication, fans are ready for it.
As for LeBron? Well, he’ll probably be just fine. But maybe—just maybe—he’ll think twice before stepping in front of Caitlin Clark in the paint again. At least in the virtual world.
One thing’s for sure: NBA 2K24 just changed the game, and we’re all here for it.
