In the world of professional basketball, where slam dunks, buzzer-beaters, and clutch plays define legacies, there’s something refreshing about hearing a player talk about the off-court support that keeps them grounded. Enter Indiana Fever’s NaLyssa Smith, who recently reflected on her third season in the WNBA – a season filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. But this ride wasn’t a solo mission. Oh no, this journey had a co-pilot: her girlfriend and fellow WNBA star, DiJonai Carrington, along with an entourage of family, friends, and teammates.
As Smith shared in a video on the Fever’s X account (formerly known as Twitter, but let’s be honest, it will always be Twitter to us), the emotional ups and downs of the season were a real challenge. Thankfully, her support squad was there to catch her before any metaphorical airballs hit the court. “My family, my girlfriend, my friends, my teammates, that’s probably the biggest thing that helped me this year,” she revealed. “When you’re going through a lot of highs and lows, you gotta have people to lean on. So those are my big support group.”
Basketball… with a Side of Rollercoaster
Smith’s season with the Fever was like a basketball rollercoaster: thrilling, full of twists, and maybe a couple of those “hands in the air screaming” moments. Averaging 10.6 points per game, she helped push the Fever back into the WNBA playoffs for the first time in eight years. Eight. That’s like two presidential terms or, in sports years, a mini eternity. Not only that, but she surpassed 1,000 career points (go ahead, NaLyssa!) and set a personal record with 39 blocked shots this season. Swat city, baby!
Yet, just when things seemed to be going up, down came the playoff plunge. Limited playing time? Check. Benched in the second playoff game? Double check. Oh, and it was against her girlfriend DiJonai Carrington’s Connecticut Sun? Triple check with extra drama. Can we just pause and appreciate the cinematic nature of this moment? It’s like a basketball version of Romeo and Juliet, only with fewer tragic endings and more epic blocked shots.
NaLyssa: The Humble Queen of “We Were There”
Despite the heart-pounding lows in the playoffs (where she definitely would have preferred more minutes on the court), Smith’s attitude was one of pure class. “Even just being there, it was huge for us,” she said, practically glowing with gratitude. And why not? Making it to the playoffs was a massive leap forward for a team as young and hungry as the Fever.
Think of it like this: the Indiana Fever’s playoff appearance was like attending a super exclusive party after years of being stuck on the waiting list. Sure, they didn’t get the best seats, but they got inside, and that’s a win.
But Smith? She’s not here just to attend the party. She’s here to take over the dance floor, busting out moves that make everyone stop and stare. “I want to be known for the player that pushed through everything and, you know, made it to the top,” she said, eyes firmly set on the future. Her third season was just a teaser of what’s to come.
What’s Next for NaLyssa Smith?
Now, as she heads into the final year of her rookie contract, the big question looms: will NaLyssa Smith stick with the Fever, or will she take her talents elsewhere? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: wherever she goes, she’s taking that grit, that drive, and that ever-present support squad (shoutout to DiJonai and the fam) with her.
And for a player who wants to be known as someone who “came and conquered,” we’d say she’s already well on her way. Keep those popcorn buckets ready – NaLyssa Smith’s story is just getting started.
Will she stay? Will she go? Will she dunk on her girlfriend in another playoff showdown? Stay tuned.