When your girlfriend’s dropping buckets halfway across the world, you’ve got to show some love—DiJonai Carrington knows this well. The Connecticut Sun star player recently had the perfect two-word reaction to NaLyssa Smith’s highlights from her Chinese league debut. Let’s just say Carrington wasn’t shy about hyping up her better half.
Smith, who usually terrorizes WNBA defenses in the summer with the Indiana Fever, has taken her talents to the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WBCA) to keep busy in the offseason. Now balling out for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, Smith’s debut performance didn’t disappoint—well, not unless you were the poor defender trying to stop her.
In the highlight reel that Carrington shared with a simple yet effective “Gettin’ activateddd 🩶🩶,” Smith put up a solid 23-point performance, including a nifty post move that showcased her classic low-block dominance. With defenders draped all over her like a blanket (seriously, get this woman some help), Smith calmly hit a jumper over the outstretched arms of her opponent, scoring the Bulls’ first two points of the game. Carrington’s reaction? Pure pride, laced with that unmistakable mix of support and swagger only she could pull off.
It’s no secret that these two keep it real on and off the court. Whether in the WNBA or overseas, their bond remains unshakable—haters be damned. They’ve faced their share of criticism for openly supporting each other as athletes and partners, but if you thought that would stop them from cheering each other on, you’ve clearly underestimated this power couple.
A Playoff Face-Off, but No Sparks Flew
This isn’t the first time Carrington and Smith have been in the spotlight together. Their WNBA teams clashed in the 2024 playoffs, where fans eagerly anticipated an on-court showdown between the two. But, like the sequel to a summer blockbuster that flopped, the much-hyped battle didn’t live up to the billing.
In a series that saw the Connecticut Sun easily sweep the Indiana Fever, Carrington had her moments of brilliance, while Smith… well, not so much. The Indiana Fever’s first playoff appearance in eight long years didn’t go as planned for Smith, who struggled against the Sun’s tenacious defense. Specifically, Connecticut’s superstar Alyssa Thomas made it her personal mission to make life miserable for Smith in Game 1, and the results were—let’s just say—less than stellar.
After a forgettable performance guarding Thomas, Smith was benched for Game 2, finishing the series with no points and only a couple of rebounds to her name. The Fever may have made history with their return to the postseason, but Smith’s playoff run? Forgettable at best, nonexistent at worst.
But hey, redemption arcs are a thing, right? And if Smith’s debut in China is anything to go by, she’s ready to bounce back. One thing’s for sure: Carrington will be there every step of the way, cheering her on from across the globe with that signature flair.
As for those who doubted their support for one another? Well, they’ll just have to keep watching. Something tells us these two aren’t done making headlines anytime soon.
Author’s Note: Keep an eye on this dynamic duo. Whether it’s in the WNBA or the WBCA, DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith are always worth the watch—both for their basketball skills and their off-court chemistry.
