“Our baby girl is sitting right there, but she doesn’t want mom and mom to be calling her name, so we’re gonna let her be a grown-up now.” That’s how DiJonai Carrington humorously referred to Paige Bueckers during the All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. The bond between the two has quickly become one of the most heartwarming dynamics in the league, and this weekend gave us yet another reason to love their teammate chemistry.

DiJonai joined the Dallas Wings this offseason in a trade that sent Jacy Sheldon and the number 8 pick to the Connecticut Sun. This move had all but promised on-court time alongside her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith, who joined the Wings after a blockbuster three-team trade. Everyone knew Paige was going to join Dallas, but little did they know that Paige and DiJonai were about to become the ultimate banter buddies!

It all started on Day 1 of training camp ahead of the 2025 WNBA season. Wings’ social media admin had given access to every player to take over their X handle. And the banter game was strong! Paige Bueckers kicked things off with a bold tweet: “DiJonai can’t guard me – Paige Bueckers.” A playful shot at last season’s Most Improved Player and one of the prime contenders for the Defensive Player of the Year.

Was DiJonai going to stay quiet? Absolutely not! She clapped back with her own jab: “#GetPaigeSomeSunlight – DiJonai Carrington,” suggesting that she looked pale during her first training session with the team. Just like that, the tone for their hilarious friendship was set, and it carried right through the All-Star weekend.

This time, the banter moved to Instagram. DiJonai posted a few sweet pics with her girlfriend NaLyssa Smith, captioned, “met my match <3.” But Paige being Paige, couldn’t resist poking fun again, commenting, “So no pics with your kid?… bet.” A cheeky reminder of the whole “baby” moment between them earlier in the weekend!

But DiJonai was quick to clap back, pointing out that Paige didn’t include her or NaLyssa in her Instagram post either. “🤣🤣🤣 soooo we was in ur first post?? yeahh aighttt🦗🦗🦗,” she joked. Hilariously enough, Paige was quick to make things right by posting another set of pictures on her Instagram, and this time it did include both Carrington and Smith!

The off-court chemistry between these two has been nothing short of entertaining. Remember when Paige was out for a few games due to concussion protocol? At her first training session back, she crashed an interview DiJonai was doing and playfully asked, “miss me?” DiJonai, ever the playful one, acted annoyed, covered her face, and said, “Yes, actually.” That pretty much summed up their bond.

But what about their on-court chemistry? Well, for that to shine, DiJonai needs to actually play. She’s been sidelined for over a month now, and the Wings definitely need their best perimeter defender back. And there’s a positive update on the way for Dallas fans.

Injury update on Paige Bueckers’ banter-mate

DiJonai has been out with a rib injury since June 20, missing a total of nine games for the Wings. But there’s finally some good news. Her status has now been upgraded to “probable” for Tuesday’s matchup against the Seattle Storm. Before going down, she was averaging 11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, and her return will undoubtedly be a big boost for the Wings.

DiJonai had her first full-contact session on the 15th of July and seems all set to make her return against the Storm. “She looked good. Conditioning looked good,” Coach Koclanes said last week when she made her return. “Physicality looked good. She looked pretty comfortable…”

Paige Bueckers and co, who currently sit at 6-17, will be desperate to get Carrington back as they desperately need her defense. But can her return really help the Wings snap out of their four-game losing streak? That’s something we will have to wait and see.