Courtney Williams may simply be the very best trash talker within the WNBA

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — On Tuesday night time, when the Connecticut Solar and Minnesota Lynx confronted off in Recreation 2 of the WNBA semi-finals, Courtney Williams and Marina Mabrey made headlines for some third-quarter trash speak.

“Advised her she couldn’t guard me,” Williams mentioned 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 mentioned. “I ain’t gonna say I’m the very best, however I’m like a easy trash talker.”

The important thing for Williams? Holding issues gentle, she mentioned. Some gamers get private, others get emotional. However Williams stays joyful when she goes at different staff’s opponents.

“Like, I don’t actually get mad after I trash speak,” Williams mentioned. “Some individuals trash speaking — they be mad, on the market taking part in mad. I trash speak, I’m nonetheless smiling and joyful, so there’s completely different ranges. Some individuals take themselves out of video games after they begin trash speaking.”

Photograph by Khoi Ton/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

Williams and Mabrey very properly may go after it once more tonight when the Solar and Lynx run it again tonight in Recreation 3 on the Mohegan Solar Area. The duo goes approach again: earlier than they have been fiery opponents battling within the WNBA semifinals, they have been teammates and buddies on the Chicago Sky.

“That’s my dawg now,” Williams mentioned.

However, when the 2 groups face off at Mohegan Solar Area tonight, that friendship shall be put apart — and all Mabrey and Williams shall be is opponents. Mabrey can typically deal with her trash speak, Williams mentioned jokingly, whereas making clear that for her it’s by no means a distraction.

“I understand how to regulate my trash speak.”

Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman attested at shootaround that there are few trash-talkers within the WNBA who rival Courtney Williams.

“Courtney’s in all probability probably the most assured individual I’ve achieved ever met,” Hiedeman mentioned. “I’m not gonna lie, she may very well be 0 for 10. She’s nonetheless gonna speak, she’s nonetheless gonna pop it. However I believe that simply goes to point out who she is as an individual. She’s very, very assured.”

Photograph by Stephen Maturen/Getty Pictures

Hiedeman’s mentioned that Williams’ trash speak has been contagious for the Lynx, in a optimistic approach.

“She instills that confidence in in everyone,” Hiedeman mentioned. “So, man, I’m joyful we on the identical staff, you realize 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 recreation,” Hiedeman mentioned. “So, every little thing that occurs on this courtroom stays on the courtroom. Hers is extra like — she’s going to speak, she’s going to let you realize she’s right here, nevertheless it’s nothing loopy.”

It’s essential to notice that Williams’ trash-talk isn’t restricted to video games — it comes out in observe, too.

And, when the Lynx are simply hanging out.

“She talks all the time,” Hiedeman mentioned. “She’ll in all probability speak after we go to breakfast. Irrespective of to who.”