Courtney Williams reveals why she refused to wear Caitlin Clark’s shoes against Fever

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Courtney Williams reveals why she refused to wear Caitlin Clark’s shoes against Fever originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Courtney Williams appreciated the gift from Caitlin Clark. Wearing it against the Indiana Fever star, however, was apparently out of the question. Williams revealed that Clark asked why the Minnesota Lynx guard did not wear the Caitlin 1 signature shoes she had received during Sunday’s matchup between Minnesota and Indiana.

Her answer came down to competitive loyalty.

“She asked me why I didn’t wear her shoes and I was like, ‘Come on, girl. I can’t wear your shoes against you,’” Williams said.

It was another entertaining moment in the growing friendship between Williams and Clark, but the Lynx veteran made it clear she was not interested in giving her opponent any additional support on game day.

Caitlin Clark’s All-Star gift came with one unwritten rule

Clark presented Williams and Lynx teammate Natisha Hiedeman, better known together as the StudBudz, with pairs of her signature Nike Caitlin 1 shoes during the 2026 WNBA All-Star festivities. Williams received the purple colorway, while Hiedeman was given the Blue Racer version. Williams was thrilled by the gesture and playfully referred to Clark as “The President.”

The gift reflected the close relationship the players have developed despite competing for different teams. That friendship includes plenty of playful trash talk, which continued before Sunday’s game. Williams stressed that none of it was personal or negative, describing the exchange as “all just fun and games.”

Once the game started, however, Williams was all business.

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Courtney Williams makes Fever pay in Lynx victory

Williams delivered one of her best performances of the season, finishing with 27 points and five assists in Minnesota’s 108-100 victory. The veteran guard also made several of the game’s biggest shots.

After Indiana trimmed Minnesota’s lead late, Williams knocked down a jumper with 2:48 remaining to put the Lynx ahead 100-96. She later connected on a floater with 33 seconds left, extending the margin to five points and helping Minnesota close out the win. Clark recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists, but she struggled from long range, making only two of her nine 3-point attempts.

Williams’ decision to leave the Caitlin 1s at home turned out to be a smart one, at least from a competitive standpoint. She could wear Clark’s signature shoes in another matchup, but the Lynx guard clearly was not about to represent an opposing star while trying to beat her team.

The friendship remains intact. So does Williams’ competitive edge.

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