“This Is Awful”: Candace Parker Reacts to Caitlin Clark Dunking on LeBron James in Viral NBA 2K Clip

 

A recent promotional trailer for NBA 2K26 has unleashed a flurry of laughs and disbelief, featuring Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark executing a virtual poster slam over none other than LeBron James — a highlight that WNBA legend Candace Parker couldn’t help but roast.

On the latest episode of her podcast Post Moves, alongside teammate Aliyah Boston, Parker and her guest watched the clip in disbelief. The image of Clark soaring over the legendary King James, flexing mid-air, and emphatically planting herself over his digital avatar drew gasps — and plenty of laughter. “Caitlin Clark dunking on Bron, and then flexing and standing over the King? I love technology,” Parker deadpanned.

But as mirth turned to mock outrage, Parker’s tone shifted. “This is wild right here! This is awful,” she joked through laughter, before delivering the punchline: “But LeBron’s PR team has got to get rid of that. I don’t care if it is a video game. Like, look at his arms. Not the King! Come on, man. You can’t do that to Bron. Don’t do that.”

Boston echoed the sentiment. “Why is he laid out like that?” she joked, causing Parker to burst out laughing.

The clip has become a viral sensation, partly thanks to how absurdly surreal it is — a WNBA guard dunking over one of the greatest NBA players of all time, in full digital glory. While the matchup is physically improbable in real life, NBA 2K26 now lets users mix NBA and WNBA superstars on the same court — sparking bold fantasy scenarios like this one.

The buzz surrounding Clark’s inclusion in NBA 2K26 reflects her meteoric rise in popularity. She currently holds a 96 overall rating — the highest among WNBA guards in the game, and fourth overall in the WNBA roster behind Collier, Wilson, and Stewart. This surge builds on a substantial uptick in WNBA engagement: NBA 2K25 saw a 43% increase in users and a 388% increase in gameplay involving WNBA teams.

Parker’s reaction isn’t just a comedic moment — it underscores the growing cultural crossover of female athletes in mainstream sports media and gaming. As the WNBA’s visibility grows, so does the celebration of its stars in spaces once dominated exclusively by NBA figures.

In championing such moments (even if playfully at Bron’s expense), Parker reminds us that video game fantasy can be a vehicle for visibility — one that brings fans of all genders to the court, whether in reality or pixels.

Summary (point form):

NBA 2K26 trailer features Caitlin Clark dunking over LeBron James — viral moment.

Candace Parker laughs, then jokes: “This is awful… LeBron’s PR team has got to get rid of that.”

Aliyah Boston adds: “Why is he laid out like that?”

The game now allows mixed NBA/WNBA rosters — fueling imaginative scenarios.

Clark’s 96 rating is the highest among WNBA guards in 2K26; WNBA representation in gaming is booming.

Reflects rising cultural recognition and digital integration of women’s basketball.