If you’ve spent any time on WNBA Twitter or TikTok lately, you already know the vibe. Fans are obsessed. People track every single "like," every cryptic emoji, and every tunnel walk fit like it’s a government secret. But honestly, the story of DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith is way more than just celebrity gossip or "couple goals." It is a wild, sometimes messy, and deeply emotional look at what happens when your professional life and your heart collide in a league that moves faster than a fast break.
It’s been a crazy few years for them. One minute they’re college stars, the next they’re rivals, and for a very brief, chaotic moment in 2025, they were actually teammates.
The Dallas Wings Experiment: A Dream That Got Weird
In early 2025, the Dallas Wings pulled off what looked like a fan-fiction trade. They managed to land both DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith in a massive four-team deal. General Manager Curt Miller basically admitted that bringing NaLyssa in was part of the master plan to lure DiJonai to Texas. For a second there, the basketball world stopped. Imagine playing at the highest level next to your partner every single day.
It sounds like a dream. But the reality was way more complicated.
The Wings were struggling. They started the season with a brutal 1-11 record. Even with the hype of drafting Paige Bueckers first overall, the chemistry just wasn't clicking on the court. NaLyssa’s numbers actually dipped. She went from being a walking double-double in Indiana to averaging just 6.7 points in Dallas.
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Then came June 30, 2025. The trade that broke the internet.
The Wings shipped NaLyssa Smith off to the Las Vegas Aces. It was cold. NaLyssa tweeted she was "sick to her stomach," and DiJonai just posted a broken heart emoji. You could feel the weight of it. One day you’re driving to practice together, the next you’re 1,200 miles apart because a front office decided the "pairing didn't work out."
Why Their Connection Still Matters to Fans
People love them because they don't hide. In a league where players used to be pressured to keep their private lives behind a curtain, DiJonai and NaLyssa are refreshingly loud. They’ve been together since their Baylor days back in 2020. That's a long time in "athlete years."
- The Baylor Roots: They reached the Elite Eight together. That bond was forged in the intensity of Kim Mulkey's program.
- The Professional Rivalry: Before Dallas, they were on opposite ends of one of the league's testiest rivalries (Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever).
- The Support System: When NaLyssa won the 2025 WNBA Finals with the Aces, DiJonai was right there in the stands, even though her own season with the Minnesota Lynx (who she was traded to shortly after NaLyssa left Dallas) ended in injury.
Misconceptions About the Breakup Rumors
Last year, the internet almost collapsed because of "breakup" rumors. Every time one of them deletes a photo or doesn't post for a week, people start writing eulogies for their relationship.
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Honestly? Most of it is noise.
Pro sports is a grind. These women are flying across the country, playing in different time zones, and dealing with intense physical pain. Sometimes you just don't want to post a selfie. In late 2025, DiJonai was spotted celebrating the Aces' title with NaLyssa, pretty much shutting down the "it's over" narrative for the hundredth time. They’ve mastered the art of the long-distance "I miss you" post while simultaneously trying to lock each other down on defense when they play against one another.
What’s Next for the Duo in 2026?
As we head into the 2026 season, things look a bit different. DiJonai Carrington is currently recovering from a foot injury that sidelined her during the 2025 playoffs. Because of that, she had to opt out of the 2026 Unrivaled season. It’s a bummer for fans who wanted to see her 1-on-1 skills, but it’s a necessary move for her long-term career.
NaLyssa, meanwhile, is entering 2026 as a restricted free agent with the Aces. Las Vegas has the "first dibs" to keep her, and considering how well she fit into Becky Hammon’s system during their championship run, it’s hard to imagine them letting her walk.
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Lessons from Their Journey
If you’re looking for a takeaway from the DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith saga, it’s this: career and love are a balancing act. You can’t always control where the "business" of sports sends you.
- Work-Life Separation is Hard: Even when you’re on the same team, the pressure to perform can strain a relationship.
- Public Scrutiny is Constant: Every social media move is dissected. Protecting your peace is more important than satisfying "stans."
- Support Your Partner's Success: DiJonai's genuine joy for NaLyssa's ring—even after her own heartbreaking trade and injury—is the real "power couple" move.
The best thing fans can do is appreciate the high-level basketball they both bring to the court. Whether they're on the same roster or guarding each other in the Finals, they’ve proven that their individual talents are just as formidable as their partnership. Keep an eye on NaLyssa’s free agency news this spring—it’ll likely determine where the next chapter of this story is written.
Actionable Insight: If you're following their 2026 journey, focus on the WNBA free agency tracker in February. This is when NaLyssa's status with the Aces will be finalized, which will dictate whether the couple stays in a long-distance setup or if the league’s chaotic trade winds bring them closer together again.