Te-Hina Paopao Cites Caitlin Clark Revenge Factor for Dream Fever Highlight Exchange

Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao spoke about a back and forth three-point exchange with Caitlin Clark.

May 10, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao (2) during the second half at Gateway Center Arena @ College Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever faced off during a WNBA preseason game on May 10, with the Fever ultimately winning by a score of 81-76.

Of course, one of the most important aspects of preseason games is that they give rookies a chance to show what they can do, hopefully in order to secure a spot on their team's roster.

And former South Carolina Gamecocks guard Te-Hina Paopao showed out in a big way Saturday, as she finished the game against Indiana with 14 points in 21 minutes played, including several highlight-reel worthy moments such as a block against Lexie Hull in the second quarter.

PAOPAO SWATS IT AWAY ‼️

Back-to-back big plays for the rookie. https://t.co/PDqA1jnvqy pic.twitter.com/Z6vXx5o7Ff

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 10, 2025

Paopao spent a considerable amount of time matched up against Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. And at one point in the second quarter, both players hit a step-back three-pointer in each other's faces on consecutive possessions, which the WNBA posted with the caption, "We're trading 3️⃣s in ATL!

"Caitlin Clark nails a step-back triple, followed by Te-Hina Paopao with one of her own.

"Both tied at 11 PTS to lead all scorers."

We're trading 3️⃣s in ATL!

Caitlin Clark nails a step-back triple, followed by Te-Hina Paopao with one of her own.

Both tied at 11 PTS to lead all scorers.

IND-ATL | FREE on the WNBA App pic.twitter.com/ZZKcfcIFx0

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 10, 2025

Paopao spoke with the media after the game. And at one point, she got honest about this back and forth with Clark.

“I was kind of mad that she scored that 3 on me. So you know I had to get that lick back and that’s what I did," Paopao said, per an X post from Malik Brown ClutchPoints.

“I was kind of mad that she scored that 3 on me. I had to get that lick back and that’s what I did.”

Q: @ItsMeghanLHall https://t.co/KGVStlAgxP pic.twitter.com/EULt2BWQ4V

— Malik Brown (@_MalikATL) May 10, 2025

Of course, Paopao and Clark faced off during the 2024 NCAA national championship game, where Paopao's Gamecocks defeated Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes.

Hopefully these two will get to face off many more times in the WNBA.