The competition on the court has been fierce during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. While the players perform at their highest level, many wives and girlfriends are supporting from the stands. These women often show up dressed to kill with their own fierce competitive natures. Despite the age old stereotype that many professional Black athletes do not choose Black women when it comes to romantic relationships, there are of examples of Black love during the NBA Playoffs this year.
21Ninety has rounded up some of our favorite Black NBA wives and girlfriends whose significant others are still competing for the title. While WAGs like Savannah James and Ayesha Curry are well known and loved, this list includes lesser known women of the NBA.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Jasmine Winton
Jasmine Winton is married to Philadelphia 76ers power forward, Tobias Harris. The couple married in 2022 after a long courtship. Winton keeps a low profile online. But, in a People profile of the couple’s wedding day, Winton shared that their relationship was more of a slow burn than love at first sight. According to the magazine, their relationship grew over time.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
McKenzie Caldwell-Pope
The wife of, Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, McKenzie, is unapologetically her husband’s number one fan. The mom of three, is a regular on the sidelines. Caldwell-Pope is a lover of fashion and often shares her game day looks on her Instagram page. She launched an online show, “Sip & Style,” where she discusses fashion with other NBA wives, often from the comfort of their own stunning closets. Caldwell-Pope also has a YouTube channel where she documents her love of interior design and her vacations. She joined her husband in the 2020 NBA bubble which was the organizations way to protect players and their families from COVID-19 during that year’s playoffs. Caldwell-Pope provided her followers with a behind-scenes look from inside the bubble including all of her wardrobe choices.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat
Shannon Phillips
There is no lack of online affection between Shannon Phillips and her husband, Josh Hart. The New York Knicks player regularly shares photographs of his wife on his Instagram page, calling Phillips his best friend and lover. The two wed in Miami in 2021 after a six month engagement according to Southern Bride. Phillips lists Masters of Science in Nursing and Registered Nurse in her Instagram bio.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Mychal Johnson
Mychal Johnson is the longtime girlfriend of Golden State Warrior, Andrew Wiggins. The mother of two, often shares pictures from the sidelines. Most recently she posted a carousel of images to her feed. One picture showed Johnson smiling with her daughter. Another showed the her watching attentively as Wiggins seemingly warmed up before a game. Earlier this year, Johnson responded to rumors that were swirling online following Wiggins absence from the team due to personal reasons. Wiggins returned to the court after a two month break and has since thanked the Warriors organization for its support during that time.