Kelsey Plum Sparks Controversy After Trucking Lexie Hull in Wild Finish as Sparks Edge Fever Without Caitlin Clark

Saturday night’s showdown between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse had everything: playoff implications, physical play, controversial no-calls, and a wild final stretch that had fans on the edge of their seats. But what stole the headlines — and set social media ablaze — was a fourth-quarter sequence involving Sparks star Kelsey Plum and Fever guard Lexie Hull, one that fans are calling everything from “accidental contact” to a “blatant cheap shot.”

And in a game where Caitlin Clark was notably absent due to injury, it was clear that tensions were still sky-high.

Lexie Hull and Kelsey Plum (Photo via Twitter)

The Fourth-Quarter Collision That Had Everyone Talking

With just over five minutes remaining in the final quarter and the Fever clinging to a narrow one-point lead, the Sparks were pressing hard for a comeback. Kelsey Plum, known for her aggressive and fearless play, drove the ball into the paint, trying to create space and force a defensive shift.

Lexie Hull and teammate Makayla Timpson converged on Plum in an attempt to force a turnover or draw an offensive foul.

Instead, what happened next left everyone stunned.

Plum passed the ball — and then plowed straight through Hull, knocking her to the floor. Cameras caught the moment in clear detail: Hull was already on her way down when Plum’s momentum carried her through, sending the Fever player flat to the hardwood.

The referees convened but ruled it a jump ball — a decision that stunned many, including the Fever bench and the home crowd.

While the Sparks won the tip through Julie Vanloo, they immediately committed a shot clock violation, giving the ball back to Indiana. But despite the turnover, the Sparks regained their composure and ultimately edged out an 89-87 victory, snapping Indiana’s hopes of pulling off the win without their injured star.

Another Heated Moment: Julie Vanloo Grabs Sophie Cunningham by the Neck

The incident between Plum and Hull wasn’t even the only flashpoint in a game that saw several heated exchanges.

Earlier, while diving for a loose ball, Julie Vanloo and Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham got tangled up in a chaotic scramble. As the two reached for possession, Vanloo’s arm wrapped around Cunningham’s neck, prompting some fans to say it looked more like a chokehold than a typical tangle.

No flagrant foul was called on the play, and both players quickly separated after the whistle. Still, the moment left many wondering how the officiating crew was interpreting physicality versus reckless play — especially when multiple Fever players had been on the receiving end of hard contact throughout the night.

It all added to the growing narrative that without Caitlin Clark on the floor, the Fever weren’t just missing their best playmaker — they were missing their primary defender and emotional center, too.

Sparks Secure Crucial Victory As Season Hangs in the Balance

The win was more than just a W in the standings for Los Angeles — it might’ve been a season-saving result.

Improving to 6-13, the Sparks moved to within three games of the Las Vegas Aces for the final playoff spot. With half the season still left to play, Plum and her teammates are hoping this gritty, high-stakes road win becomes a turning point in their turbulent campaign.

For Plum, the game was yet another reminder of her all-or-nothing approach. She finished the night with 22 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds, leading the charge as the Sparks clawed their way back in the final minutes.

“We knew this was a must-win,” Plum said postgame. “Indiana’s tough, especially in their house. We didn’t have a perfect game, but we kept fighting.”

But that fight — especially the kind that puts other players on the floor — is exactly what’s being scrutinized by Fever fans and WNBA watchers alike.

Fever’s Rollercoaster Continues Without Caitlin Clark

The loss dropped the Fever to 9-9, a disappointing result for a team that has been gaining momentum over the last month.

However, they were once again without Caitlin Clark, who remains sidelined with a left groin injury. It was her third straight game missed, and while the Fever have tried to stay competitive, the void she leaves is impossible to ignore.

Clark, who leads all rookies in scoring and assists, has also become the Fever’s most targeted player by opposing defenses. Without her floor presence, Indiana’s spacing suffers, their pace slows, and the offense lacks the same sharpness that Clark brings with her signature full-court vision and deep three-point range.

Her absence was felt deeply Saturday night — both on the scoreboard and in the team’s ability to close tight games.

Still, even with the loss, the Fever remain in the playoff picture, currently hovering around the .500 mark. But with Clark’s return uncertain, and the season tightening, Indiana knows it needs to find other ways to win until their superstar is back on the court.

Fans Call Out Officiating and League Inconsistencies

The collision between Plum and Hull, along with the Vanloo-Cunningham incident, has re-ignited conversations around officiating in the WNBA — especially when it involves Indiana.

Fever fans have taken to social media en masse, questioning why seemingly blatant fouls weren’t called. Many point to a growing pattern: when Caitlin Clark plays, she gets targeted; when she doesn’t, her teammates still seem to be on the wrong end of physical plays — and the whistles don’t come.

“There’s no way that wasn’t an offensive foul on Plum,” one user wrote on X. “Lexie Hull literally got trucked. You can’t just steamroll people and get away with it.”

Others questioned whether the WNBA’s increased spotlight — due in large part to Clark’s presence this season — has put pressure on refs to let more physical play slide, especially in primetime games. But critics argue that protecting player safety should never be sacrificed for TV drama.

Kelsey Plum (Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images)

What This Game Means Going Forward

For the Sparks, this hard-fought win may serve as the spark they need — no pun intended — to claw their way back into the postseason race. If Plum continues to lead with grit, and Vanloo provides that edge on defense, they could become a dark horse down the stretch.

For the Fever, the priority is clear: get Caitlin Clark healthy and back on the court.

But beyond that, there’s a broader conversation that needs to happen. As the WNBA enjoys a historic surge in popularity, thanks in large part to new fans, viral moments, and young stars like Clark, the league must decide what kind of product it wants to showcase.

If rough plays go unpunished, and hard fouls are dismissed as hustle, then there’s a real danger of alienating the very fans who are fueling the league’s rise.

Final Thoughts

Saturday night’s clash between the Sparks and Fever was supposed to be a midseason battle between two desperate teams — one fighting for a playoff berth, the other trying to hold onto one. And in many ways, it delivered.

But the controversial bump by Kelsey Plum, the no-call choke from Vanloo, and the absence of Caitlin Clark overshadowed what should’ve been a celebration of competitive basketball.

The Sparks left with a win, but the Fever left with questions — not just about their performance, but about the league’s consistency, safety, and direction.

As the WNBA continues to surge into the mainstream, it must remember that physicality can’t come at the expense of integrity. Because sooner or later, the spotlight will shine not just on the players — but on the way the game is being played.