DiJonai Carrington shows her love for NaLyssa Smith as they prepare for next game in WNBA Playoffs

Even though DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun and NaLyssa Smith are now engaged in a WNBA playoff match, they continue to express their affection and gratitude for one another. After getting a bunch of red roses from her partner Smith, the 26-year-old Carrington recently turned to Instagram to show her affection for the latter.

It occurred as they prepared to support their respective teams in Wednesday's Game 2 of their WNBA playoffs first-round series. Sun led the joust, winning 1-0. In her message, the Connecticut guard extended her appreciation to the Indiana forward and proclaimed her affection, writing. "Thank you, sweet girl. I love you @nalyssasmith" as per Sportskeeda.

DiJonai Carrington and Connecticut Sun defeated Smith's Fever 93-69 in the opening game of their best-of-three playoff series on Sunday. Midseason addition Marina Mabrey led the team in scoring with a game-high 27 points after coming off the bench. It enhanced the work of veteran DeWanna Bonner, who finished with 22 points, and triple-double leader Alyssa Thomas, who finished with 12 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.

In the opening game of the Indiana Fever's first-round WNBA playoff match on Sunday, DiJonai Carrington drew criticism from fans for what they saw to be her deliberate action to injure rookie phenom Caitlin Clark. Early in the Connecticut Sun's 93-69 victory, there was an incident. Carrington used her fingernails to strike the Fever guard in the face as she attempted to block Clark's pass from the top of the key. Many believed that the action, that caused Clark to have a black eye, was deliberate. On the play, though, no foul was called.

DiJonai Carrington and Caitlin Clark have rivalry between them

DiJonai Carrington refuted after the game that he purposefully injured Caitlin Clark on the play, stating (via FOX News): 

"I don't even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye. That doesn't even make 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, it's never intentional. That's not even like the type of player that I am."

There have been rumors that Carrington agitated Clark during their last encounter this season, which may have contributed to some people's concern about their most recent encounter.