"I love you": DiJonai Carrington expresses love for girlfriend NaLyssa Smith as couple gets ready for another battle

DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun and NaLyssa Smith may be in the middle of a WNBA playoff battle but it has not stopped them from showing their love and appreciation for one another.

The 26-year-old Carrington recently took to Instagram to express her love for girlfriend Smith after receiving a bouquet of red roses from the latter. It came as they both gear up to help their respective teams for Game 2 of their opening round WNBA playoff series on Wednesday. The Sun lead the joust, 1-0.

In her post, the Connecticut guard shared her gratitude to the Indiana forward and expressed her love, writing:

"Thank you sweet girl. I love you @nalyssasmith"

Check out a screenshot of her IG story below:

With love and affection

In Game 1 of their best-of-three playoff series on Sunday, DiJonai Carrington and the Sun dominated Smith's Fever for a 93-69 victory.

Midseason acquisition Marina Mabrey came off the bench and exploded for a game-high 27 points in the victory. It complemented the play of veteran DeWanna Bonner, who had 22 points, and the triple-double of Alyssa Thomas, who had 12 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

DiJonai Carrington, for her part, added 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in 33:46 on the floor.

Smith, meanwhile, played only nine minutes for Indiana and failed to score a single point.

Kelsey Mitchell led the way for the Fever with 21 points, with Aliyah Boston adding 17 points and 11 rebounds. Caitlin Clark, meanwhile, had 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Game 2 between the Sun and the Fever is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

DiJonai Carrington denies intentionally hurting Caitlin Clark in Game 1

DiJonai Carrington was criticized by many for what they believed to be her intentional move to hurt Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark in Game 1 of their first-round WNBA playoff showdown on Sunday.

The incident took place early in the Connecticut Sun's 93-69 win. As Clark was trying to make a pass from the top of the key, Carrington hit the Fever guard in the face with her fingernails as she tried to block the pass.

Many viewed the move, which resulted in Clark sustaining a black eye, as intentional. No foul, however, was called on the play.

Following the game, DiJonai Carrington denied intentionally hurting Clark on the play, saying (via FOX News):

"I don't even know why I would intend to hit abybody in the eye. That doesn't even makes sense to me. But, no, I didn't. I didn't know I hit her, actually. I was trying to make a play on the ball, and I guess I followed through, and I hit her. So, obviously, it's never intentional. That's not even like the type of player that I am."

Carrington has allegedly antagonized Clark in their earlier meeting this season, which could be the reason why this latest run-in was viewed with suspicion by some.