UNCASVILLE, Conn. — On Tuesday evening, when the Connecticut Solar and Minnesota Lynx confronted off in Sport 2 of the WNBA semi-finals, Courtney Williams and Marina Mabrey made headlines for some third-quarter trash discuss.
“Informed her she couldn’t guard me,” Williams stated matter-of-factly after Minnesota’s 77-70 win, through which she helped paved the way with 17 factors.
On Friday morning at shootaround, Williams grinned when requested about the place she ranked among the many league’s finest trash-talkers.
“I’m up there,” Williams stated. “I ain’t gonna say I’m the perfect, however I’m like a clean trash talker.”
The important thing for Williams? Preserving issues gentle, she stated. Some gamers get private, others get emotional. However Williams stays pleased when she goes at different crew’s rivals.
“Like, I don’t actually get mad once I trash discuss,” Williams stated. “Some individuals trash speaking — they be mad, on the market taking part in mad. I trash discuss, I’m nonetheless smiling and pleased, so there’s completely different ranges. Some individuals take themselves out of video games once they begin trash speaking.”
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Picture by Khoi Ton/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Williams and Mabrey very nicely might go after it once more tonight when the Solar and Lynx run it again tonight in Sport 3 on the Mohegan Solar Enviornment. The duo goes manner again: earlier than they have been fiery rivals battling within the WNBA semifinals, they have been teammates and buddies on the Chicago Sky.
“That’s my dawg now,” Williams stated.
However, when the 2 groups face off at Mohegan Solar Enviornment tonight, that friendship shall be put apart — and all Mabrey and Williams shall be is rivals. Mabrey can typically deal with her trash discuss, Williams stated jokingly, whereas making clear that for her it’s by no means a distraction.
“I understand how to manage my trash discuss.”
Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman attested at shootaround that there are few trash-talkers within the WNBA who rival Courtney Williams.
“Courtney’s most likely essentially the most assured particular person I’ve finished ever met,” Hiedeman stated. “I’m not gonna lie, she could possibly be 0 for 10. She’s nonetheless gonna discuss, she’s nonetheless gonna pop it. However I feel that simply goes to indicate who she is as an individual. She’s very, very assured.”
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Picture by Stephen Maturen/Getty Pictures
Hiedeman’s stated that Williams’ trash discuss has been contagious for the Lynx, in a constructive manner.
“She instills that confidence in in everyone,” Hiedeman stated. “So, man, I’m pleased we on the identical crew, what I’m saying, as a result of when she get to speaking… however nah, she’s undoubtedly a high 5 for certain.”
And, she attested that Williams’ back-and-forth by no means will get too heavy.
“To her, it’s a basketball sport,” Hiedeman stated. “So, all the things that occurs on this court docket stays on the court docket. Hers is extra like — she’s going to speak, she’s going to let she’s right here, but it surely’s nothing loopy.”
It’s essential to notice that Williams’ trash-talk isn’t restricted to video games — it comes out in apply, too.
And, when the Lynx are simply hanging out.
“She talks all the time,” Hiedeman stated. “She’ll most likely discuss after we go to breakfast. Regardless of to who.”