DiJonai Carrington prioritizes love over sleep for girlfriend NaLyssa Smith in touching gesture

DiJonai Carrington was awake at 3:47 a.m. to watch her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith, play in the Chinese league. Smith, a forward for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, traveled to China in October to compete with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

Carrington posted a video of her girlfriend playing against Sichuan, on Monday. Hyping up Smith in the caption, the Connecticut Sun guard wrote:

"Use that rumpppp 🤭 👏. 10 in the first, 5/6 ✨"

[Credit: IG/@dijonai__]

After starting strong in the first quarter, making five of her six shots, NaLyssa Smith converted only three of her remaining attempts and ended the game with 17 points and five rebounds, shooting 9-of-19 from the field. The Golden Bulls lost the game, 106-62.

On the other hand, DiJonai Carrington's season with the Sun ended earlier than hoped. The team was eliminated from the playoffs after a second-round defeat to the Minnesota Lynx. However, it was an excellent individual season for Carrington, as she won the Most Improved Player Award for the 2024 WNBA season.

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DiJonai Carrington's long-distance relationship with NaLyssa Smith has not been easy

Long-distance relationships are difficult for any couple, and for DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith, being thousands of miles apart for almost two months has been tough.

While Carrington stayed in the U.S. to participate in the inaugural "Unrivaled" league, Smith traveled to China to play in the Chinese league.

Carrington is already finding it difficult to be without her girlfriend, as she wrote on X on Saturday:

"I miss Lyss so much bro. Long distance year-round 😭 mannnn. *sent wit watery eyes 😩*"

DiJonai Carrington will play for the Mist Basketball Club in the "Unrivaled" league, projected as one of the best teams in the 3X3 league, if not the best. She will join elite players like Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Aaliyah Edwards and Rickea Jackson.

The "Unrivaled" league begins on Jan. 17, and the Mist will open the tournament against Napheesa Collier and the Lunar Owls at 7:00 PM ET.