If you think the WNBA playoffs are only about basketball, you might want to think again. The highly anticipated matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun brings much more than just a battle on the court — it’s also packed with some serious off-court drama. Why?
Because NaLyssa Smith of the Fever and DiJonai Carrington of the Sun, who are not only dating but possibly engaged, are going head-to-head in the first round of the playoffs. Yes, you read that right: a WNBA power couple facing off for a spot in the next round. Talk about high stakes and a complicated situation.
This playoff series is already buzzing with drama, and we’re only at Game 1. Both Smith and Carrington are known for their fierce competitiveness, and they’re certainly not toning it down just because they’re romantically involved. It’s a delicate balance—how do you compete at the highest level when the person standing in your way on the court is also the one you’re building a life with off the court?
The emotional intensity is palpable, and it’s not just about basketball anymore; it’s about pride, love, and the desire to win. Imagine the tension of a game where your girlfriend—or possibly fiancé—is actively trying to stop you from advancing in the playoffs, with the entire nation watching. It’s not the first time these two have faced off this season either; this will be the fifth matchup between Smith and Carrington, making the stakes even higher.
Both Smith and Carrington bring their trademark intensity to every game, and this series is no exception. Throughout the regular season, they’ve shown no mercy against each other, racking up fouls and leaving it all on the court. Their relationship may be strong off the court, but between the lines, it’s strictly business. The WNBA isn’t holding back on the drama either, with this series feeling more like a sports soap opera than just another playoff matchup. It’s reminiscent of the iconic Serena and Venus Williams battles, but with a twist—these aren’t sisters, but potential fiancés who must separate their personal lives from their professional rivalry.
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Just imagine the post-game conversations. One moment they’re competing for rebounds, and the next they’re sharing dinner, dissecting plays, and navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with a relationship under the spotlight of professional sports.
The dynamic has all the makings of must-watch TV, and it’s delivering everything fans didn’t even know they wanted from the WNBA playoffs. Whether you’re watching for the basketball or the off-court intrigue, there’s no denying this series is history in the making.
NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington Relationship Timeline
NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington have been together since 2020, back when they were teammates at Baylor University. Their relationship blossomed during their college days, and while they’ve remained strong off the court, things are getting a lot more intense on the hardwood. The pair’s on-court battles have only become more heated since they joined different teams in the WNBA, leading to some memorable regular-season matchups.
In one regular-season game just before the playoffs, Carrington led Connecticut with a standout 19-point performance, while Smith held her own for Indiana with 10 points and six rebounds. Both players were aggressive, each racking up five fouls in the tightly contested game, which Indiana narrowly won, 84-80. It was a preview of what’s to come in the playoffs, with both athletes pushing the limits of their physicality and skill. But with the playoffs underway, the stakes are much higher, and only one of them will move past the first round.
And there’s even more on the line for fans who noticed what appeared to be an engagement ring on Carrington’s finger, sparking rumors that the couple may be planning to tie the knot. Regardless of who wins the series, one thing is certain—either Smith or Carrington will have to go home, and it might just be to their significant other. This adds yet another layer of tension to the matchup, with the prospect of an engagement looming in the background as they battle it out on the court.
The Smith-Carrington matchup is more than just a game—it’s a historic moment for the WNBA, blending athletic prowess with personal stakes in a way that’s rarely seen in professional sports.
Fans are eagerly watching to see who will come out on top, not just as competitors, but as a couple making history in their own right.
