Caitlin Clark Admires LeBron James For Giving Up This Sweet Treat

Caitlin Clark knows greatness when she sees it. After all, game recognizes game, and the Indiana Fever superstar has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to push oneself to the limit.

Case in point: CC expressed her awe of LeBron James for making a poignant sacrifice in his quest to regain tip-top shape earlier this season. That sacrifice? Giving up chocolate chip cookies.

Realizing that she herself couldn’t cross that line, Clark gave James his flowers. “I’d rather retire than do this,” she commented on Instagram. “This is why he’s him.”

LBJ had shared this dietary change on a recent episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash. According to James, his early absence due to his sciatica issues triggered his “difficult” decision. “I wasn’t playing in November, missed all of training camp and everything, so I was like, ‘Alright, I got to take something out. I have to sacrifice something,’” James shared.

As if the cookies weren’t enough, the four-time NBA champion chose to forgo one other guilty pleasure: wine. Even when James got around to playing his first game with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025-26 campaign, setting a league record with his unprecedented 23rd season, he kept his cookie- and wine-free diet till January 1.

Athletes like James and Clark need their comfort food, and CC knew exactly what the King was putting himself through in this period of “fasting.” Indeed, Clark is well aware of the rigors of recovery as she battled major injuries in her sophomore season with the Fever. Due to issues like a quad strain and a groin injury, Clark played just 13 games last year.

If there’s anyone who has set a good example of discipline while recuperating, it’s LBJ, an all-time great that Clark got to meet for the first time back in March 2025. Two months after their initial interaction, James tweeted a picture of their meeting as he praised Clark for her triple-double on opening night. The caption read: “TRIPLE DUB CC!! Great way to kick off the season!” 

Game recognizes game, respect begets respect, and admiration goes both ways for two basketball icons. Now, thanks to a sweet treat, Clark reveres James even more.