The WNBA playoffs are officially underway, and Game 1 has already brought plenty of excitement as teams clash on the court. The showdown between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun is particularly special. Not only do both teams have a history of intense competition, as we saw with Caitlin Clark getting a black eye, but they also feature players with a unique off-court connection—DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith.
While one might expect these two to focus solely on their teams as they gear up for Game 2, it seems they’ve carved out some leisure time for each other which has turned fans into doing nothing but appreciating their bond. Recently, a fan page dedicated to Carrington shared the couple’s candid moment on X, showing the two strolling through the streets together, likely heading into a restaurant.
What makes the clip so heartwarming is that the Fever forward was seen holding her girlfriend Carrington’s handbag before graciously opening the door for her—talk about being an ideal partner! The video captured this sweet moment perfectly and was captioned, “Not Lyss with Nai’s bag.” It’s these little gestures that really highlight their caring relationship!
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Not Lyss with Nai’s bag 🥹🥰 pic.twitter.com/p7u1wudSX0
— DiJonai Carrington defender (@dijonaiupdate) September 23, 2024
Interestingly, this came just a day after they shared a sweet moment together following the final buzzer in Game 1 of their playoff battle. In that instance, Carrington seemed to comfort Smith, who appeared disappointed. While that moment sparked plenty of buzz, their recent outing has only made fans swoon even more as they continue to express their affection for one another in every way possible.
A Love That Endures: Fans are all heart for Smith’s gesture for DiJonai Carrington
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Nalyssa Smith's gesture to DiJonai Carrington—Is this the kind of sportsmanship we need more of?
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The bond between these players dates back to their college days at Baylor, where they were teammates. When the Connecticut Sun drafted Carrington in 2021 and Smith joined the Indiana Fever in 2022, their paths diverged, but they maintained a strong connection. Despite facing some challenges last year, they navigated through the rough patch and have come out with a relationship that’s now stronger than ever. Smith’s recent sweet gesture is a testament to their love, and it was so touching that one fan couldn’t help but express their emotions in the comments!
“i cant they are so cute 🙁💗“
While one fan shared their heartfelt thoughts in a comment, another was speechless, unable to find the words. All she could do was express her emotions through tearful joy emojis.
“🥹🥹🥹”
DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith have consistently shown their affection for each other online. Carrington was a source of encouragement for Smith during a tough time when she wasn’t getting much playing time on the court after the All-Star break. In a sweet acknowledgment of their relationship, Smith later retweeted a collage of the two and declared them “the flyest couple in tha world.” As she truly backed up her words by being a caring partner, one fan even took a moment to appreciate Smith’s gesture towards her girlfriend.
“She’s such a gentlewoman! She always carries her bag when they’re together. 🥰”
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Well, no matter how much the deep affection this couple shows for each other, one might wonder how they manage to balance their relationship. After all, they’re both fierce competitors, battling it out on the court to prove themselves and strengthen their teams. However, their gestures reveal a mutual respect that is truly inspiring, and one fan even took a moment to commend their attitude, highlighting how it sets a positive example for others.
“I love this 👏🏽“
This sweet moment surfaced just a day after their Game 1 showdown at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Both players started for their respective teams, but Smith played only nine minutes, while Carrington made an impressive impact by scoring 14 points in nearly the entire game. Although they shared a couple of moments after the game, it’s unclear if the recent clip of them together was actually a post-game date. One curious fan even chimed in, eager to confirm the details.
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“This is beautiful 😍 Was this after the game?“
As the WNBA playoffs unfold, the heartwarming bond between DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith reminds fans that love can thrive even amidst fierce competition. Their relationship exemplifies support, respect, and inspiration for all. With Game 2 on the horizon, they’re making sure to dedicate quality time to their bond, which is just as vital, if not more, as their professional commitments.
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Nalyssa Smith's gesture to DiJonai Carrington—Is this the kind of sportsmanship we need more of?