NaLyssa Smith 'freely' responds to fan questioning her loveable gesture for gf DiJonai Carrington: "Been getting death threats"

NaLyssa Smith retaliated against a fan questioning her loveable gesture for girlfriend DiJonai Carrington after their WNBA playoffs battle. Smith 'freely' spoke about it as the couple was no longer playing against each other, with Carrington's Connecticut Sun advancing to the playoffs on Wednesday following their 87-81 Game 2 win over Smith's Indiana Fever.

Smith gave her girlfriend a bouquet of red roses, which Carrington posted on her Instagram story, captioning it:

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

A fan questioned Smith's gesture, suggesting they should have at least waited until the playoffs ended.

However, the Fever forward wasn't holding back at that thought since they were no longer in action against each other. Smith claimed that Carrington had unfortunately been on the receiving end of foul behavior, and her gesture was simply to ensure her mental health was alright.

"Anyways now that i can respond freely, my girlfriend has been getting death threats, followed , called all type of s**t," NaLyssa Smith said . "So if sending her flowers to make sure her mental health is okay then coo cry about it."

DiJonai Carrington's on-court run-ins with Caitlin Clark during the regular season and in Sunday's Game 1 have seen a section of fans go at the reigning Most Improved Player of the Year. Carrington has complained about being targeted with such behavior before, too, most recently before Wednesday's Game 2.

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DiJonai Carrington reacts to Sun coach's comments on players' mistreatment online

Coach Stephanie White condemned the hate her players and others around the WNBA have been subjected to this past season.

"We in the media have to do a better job of not allowing trolls in social media to become the story," White said. "I feel like we have allowed trolls in social media to frame the narrative of what the story is. And it’s unacceptable."

DiJonai Carrington endorsed her coach's sentiments, retweeting the interview with three exclamation marks on her 'X' account.

White was specifically asked about the death threat DiJonai Carrington received from a heckler and Sun star, Alyssa Thomas', comments, who also defended the latter and other players.

“It’s uncalled for, and something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans, or the league.”

Alyssa bluntly named the Indiana Fever's fan base, suggesting the hate came from their end because of Caitlin Clark's supporters.

Nevertheless, the WNBA immediately started working on an action plan to take strict measures against such hecklers online. The league announced it through their official Instagram page after Wednesday's playoff games.