Old Feud Reignites? Tensions Between Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum Boil Over Again as Heated Video Resurfaces After Fiery WNBA All-Star Game Moments

Just days after the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game lit up headlines, an old video showing a heated exchange between Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum has gone viral again—rekindling speculation about rising tensions, competitive egos, and a potential rift between the league’s past and future stars.

What began as a seemingly innocent back-and-forth during the All-Star festivities quickly escalated when social media sleuths resurfaced a confrontational moment between the two players from earlier in the season. Now, fans are asking: is this just competitive fire, or is something deeper brewing under the surface of the WNBA’s growing popularity?

This 2000-word deep-dive unpacks the video, the context, the social media firestorm, and what it says about the league’s future—and its stars.

The All-Star Game That Sparked the Fire
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game was expected to be a showcase of talent, style, and unity. But by the end of the night, all eyes were on the growing tension between two of the league’s most high-profile names—Caitlin Clark, the sharpshooting rookie and cultural lightning rod, and Kelsey Plum, a seasoned All-Star with championship pedigree.

During a second-quarter sequence, cameras caught Plum seemingly refusing to high-five Clark after a possession. Clark, appearing puzzled but composed, simply turned away. The moment might’ve been brushed off—if not for the Internet’s memory.

Within hours, a clip from a May 2025 game between the Fever and the Aces reemerged on X (formerly Twitter), showing a heated exchange where Plum appeared to yell something in Clark’s direction after a hard foul. Lip readers speculated. Theories multiplied. And WNBA Twitter exploded.

The Video in Question
The resurfaced footage, originally captured during a chippy regular season matchup, shows Caitlin Clark attempting a transition layup, only to be met mid-air by a physical challenge from Plum. Clark hit the ground hard. Though no foul was called, Clark seemed visibly frustrated.

As Clark picked herself up, Plum turned toward her and said something that many interpreted as dismissive. Several fans slowed the footage and posted frame-by-frame breakdowns. While the audio was inconclusive, amateur lip-readers filled the gap: “Stay in your lane,” some claimed Plum said.

Though it’s impossible to verify the exact words, the attitude conveyed in the clip has fueled the narrative that there may be unresolved tension between the two players—one emblematic of the “old guard” of the WNBA, and the other, its controversial new face.

A Clash of Generations?
At the heart of the growing discourse is something bigger than two players trading competitive jabs. It’s about the cultural shift happening within the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark, fresh off her record-breaking college career at Iowa, entered the WNBA as a phenomenon. Her fanbase is enormous, her social media following rivals NBA stars, and she’s been credited with boosting league viewership and merchandise sales. But that fame hasn’t come without controversy.

Critics, including some veteran players, have voiced concerns about Clark receiving disproportionate media attention, brand deals, and fan adoration compared to long-standing WNBA stars. Kelsey Plum, a two-time champion with the Aces, has previously spoken about the media’s role in shaping player narratives—often hinting at the erasure of veterans in favor of newer, more marketable faces.

Though Plum has never directly criticized Clark, the All-Star Game awkwardness and resurfaced footage are now being interpreted by many fans as signs of underlying resentment or rivalry.

Social Media Reacts: Team Caitlin vs. Team Plum
As the video made its rounds online, fans quickly picked sides.

#TeamCaitlin fans argued that Clark has been targeted, disrespected, and even physically endangered by jealous veterans who can’t handle her rapid ascent. They pointed to other incidents this season—hard fouls, dismissive interviews, and coded language—as evidence of a larger vendetta.

Meanwhile, #TeamPlum supporters emphasized the importance of respecting the players who built the league before Clark’s arrival. “She’s talented, no doubt,” one user posted, “but respect isn’t handed out just because you got a Nike deal.”

Some fans tried to strike a middle ground, arguing that what’s being witnessed is nothing more than healthy competition—something the league has desperately needed. After all, drama drives engagement.

Players Weigh In—Carefully
While neither Clark nor Plum has commented directly on the resurfaced video, other WNBA players have dropped cryptic posts and subtle likes that have only added fuel to the fire.

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier posted a vague “Some of y’all love drama more than basketball” on Instagram stories, which many interpreted as a shot at fans. Meanwhile, Skylar Diggins-Smith liked a tweet calling the incident “overblown but revealing.”

ESPN insiders report that the league office has kept close tabs on the growing discourse, mindful of both the optics and the brand image of the WNBA during a time of growth and increased mainstream attention.

Competitive Fire or Real Grudge?
At the root of all this is the question: is this drama just a byproduct of fierce competition, or does it reflect deeper divisions within the league?

On one hand, the WNBA is full of elite athletes playing at the highest level. Friction is natural. Heated moments happen. Even in the NBA, stars like LeBron James and Draymond Green have had verbal spats that mean little in the long run.

On the other hand, this particular situation feels different—not just because of the players involved, but because of the massive cultural spotlight shining on Clark and the shifting dynamics within the W.

The Bigger Picture: A League in Transition
The WNBA in 2025 is a very different landscape than even five years ago. Record-breaking TV ratings, sold-out arenas, and massive brand endorsements have brought the league into a new era.

But with growth comes growing pains.

Veteran players are rightfully demanding credit for laying the groundwork. Younger stars are arriving with unprecedented attention. The tension isn’t just personal—it’s systemic. It’s about visibility, media narratives, brand power, and the struggle for recognition in a historically undervalued league.

Caitlin Clark represents a new wave—one that’s flashy, viral, and market-friendly. Kelsey Plum represents the grit, grind, and legacy of players who helped the WNBA survive its leaner years.

Their clash—real or perceived—is symbolic of the friction that arises during moments of evolution.

What Happens Next?
Whether the tension between Clark and Plum is real or exaggerated by the internet, one thing is certain: the WNBA is capturing national attention like never before.

The league now has its first true rivalries—not just between teams, but between players, brands, and ideologies. That tension, if handled right, can be a boon for business. Think Magic vs. Bird. LeBron vs. Steph. Rivalries drive storylines. Storylines drive ratings.

But it also requires maturity from players, media, and fans alike. There’s a fine line between competitive drama and toxic narrative-building.

Conclusion: More Than a Game
The resurfaced video between Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum is just the latest chapter in a growing saga of transformation within the WNBA. Whether it was a real moment of animosity or just a misinterpreted flash of intensity, it has opened the floodgates for conversations about fairness, visibility, legacy, and change.

And maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

The WNBA doesn’t need to manufacture drama—the players are already compelling. The rivalries are already forming. The passion is already there. All it needs now is to harness that energy and turn it into momentum that lasts long after the final buzzer.