The scoreboard read 81-76, but the story told in Indiana’s preseason clash with Atlanta wasn’t just about the numbers. While fans were preoccupied with Caitlin Clark’s spectacular threes and Te-Hina Paopao’s debut, something much more curious was unfolding on the court. Brittney Griner, Atlanta’s towering 6’9 center, seemed to disappear after a mere two minutes of play. What started as a promising showcase for Griner quickly became an enigma that left fans and analysts alike wondering—what exactly happened to the Dream’s star?

Griner, who had already impressed in her Atlanta debut with 16 points and 10 rebounds in an 80-70 win over the Washington Mystics, appeared ready to make a statement against Indiana. She hit a 24-foot three-pointer in the opening minutes, but after just two minutes of play, Griner was seen racing back to the locker room. Indy Star’s Chloe Peterson reported, “BG just ran back to the locker room about two minutes into the game. Didn’t look serious (considering the running), but something to monitor. Fast-paced game so far, as Dream lead 6-4.” It was puzzling—Griner had been fully healthy in her previous performance, so what was behind her abrupt departure?

It wasn’t long before it was confirmed that Griner would be done for the day, with the Dream’s PR department attributing it to a “rest decision.” Peterson updated, “BG is done for the day. No injury, per Dream PR, just rest.”

However, not everyone was convinced. YouTuber Rosalina Lee commented, “Brittney Griner was only in for two minutes. She did not go out with an injury. I didn’t really fully understand it. Like they said that she just went out for rest, but like who gets tired after two minutes? That’s just bizarre.”

Bizarre? Maybe. But Griner’s latest Instagram post shows her locked in a classic shooting pose with the caption, “Uh, uh-huh, uh-huh 🔥🔥.” Not exactly the vibe of someone sidelined or nursing an injury. If anything, it feels like business as usual for Griner in Atlanta. After all, being one of the most consistent two-way players and grabbing an All-Defensive spot for seven seasons, Griner is no stranger to the physical toll of a long season. 

Meanwhile, the game itself became a stage for other narratives with Griner sidelined, particularly the emergence of Te-Hina Paopao.

Pao Pao shines for the Dream in Griner’s Absence

And while Brittney Griner’s sudden exit from the game left the Dream scrambling, a rookie seized the opportunity to shine. Former South Carolina Gamecocks guard Te-Hina Paopao made a strong impression, finishing the game against Indiana with 14 points in just 21 minutes. Her performance included several highlight-worthy moments, such as a block against Lexie Hull in the second quarter that had fans buzzing.

Paopao found herself frequently matched up against one of the best in the league, Caitlin Clark, throughout the game. The two exchanged jaw-dropping step-back three-pointers in the second quarter, one after the other. The WNBA’s official social media account couldn’t help but highlight the moment, captioning the video with: “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.”

After the game, Paopao reflected on her back-and-forth with Clark, admitting that she was upset when Clark scored a three-pointer on her. “I had to get that lick back, and that’s what I did,” Paopao shared, according to an X post by Malik Brown of ClutchPoints. Her confidence was on full display as she had wished. “I feel like my handles are a little underrated so I just wanted to showcase that,” she told @JameelahJNBA.

Lexie Hull also praised Paopao’s fearless play, noting, “It’s great to see rookies coming in and playing with confidence. It shows the game’s continuing to grow.” Hull added that rookies no longer act like they’re out of place, but are instead making a name for themselves, which is exciting for any rookie to experience in their early games.

With 5:02 left in the second quarter, Paopao was all over Clark, trying to block one of her signature threes. Clark, never one to back down, gave a little nudge and sank the shot. But Paopao wasn’t having it. With 4:20 left, she drained her own three-pointer, proving she’s got the chops to go toe-to-toe with the best. And when Griner is back on the court at her best? Yep, Atlanta’s ambitious new era is only beginning to unfold.