Messy WNBA Breakup Creates Awkward Mid-Game Tension Between Ex-Girlfriends Amid Cheating Allegations

DiJonai Carrington NaLyssa Smith Cheating WNBA Acs Sky Jackie Young Dating Rumors
Chris Jones-Imagn Images

DiJonai Carrington accused NaLyssa Smith of cheating. The former WNBA couple played against each other on Saturday.

It was awkward!

There was a visible tension between the two WNBA ex-girlfriends. The game was decided by only one point.

DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith are no longer dating.

There are multiple same-sex couples in the WNBA and Carrington and Smith used to be one of them. They played college basketball together at Baylor. Rumors of their relationship started to swirl in late 2020. It was later confirmed on the team website.

Although they were forced to go their separate ways when Carrington was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in 2021 and Smith was drafted by the Indiana Fever in 2022, they stayed together. Things got messy in 2023 during an alleged breakup. They later got back together after some romantic on-court moments. Their true love was meant to be — or so it seemed.

Carrington and Smith actually played together on the Dallas Wings for part of the 2025 season before the former was traded away. They were girlfriend and girlfriend, and teammates. Paige Bueckers had to check the high-profile couple for canoodling on the night before a game. Carrington forgot not to cheer for Smith after she was traded.

And then they broke up in October or November.

It appeared as though DiJonai Carrington started dating Jackie Young at some point during the offseason. NaLyssa Smith responded to the rumors with only a laughing emoji.

If that was not already messy enough, Carrington recently accused Smith of cheating on her with two other WNBA players. Smith later responded to the allegations with a lengthy explanation for what might’ve happened. She also questioned why it is just now becoming a thing. They had long moved on.

WNBA couples still have to play against each other after a breakup amid cheating allegations.

The Las Vegas Aces played against the Chicago Sky on Saturday afternoon. DiJonai Carrington currently plays for the Sky. NaLyssa Smith and Jackie Young currently play for the Aces. AWKWARD!

It appeared as though Carrington and Young were trying to keep their distance after the offseason rumors.

They had to guard each other throughout the game.

Smith and Carrington were unable to avoid each other. The latter shouted at her ex-girlfriend during a wide-open three-point attempt.

The former was then called for a foul that got her ex-girlfriend fired up.

They also got into it under the rim.

The WNBA is special. In no other league is a player required to guard his or her ex amid cheating allegations while the ex’s current fling (allegedly) is also on the same team.