Latest news with #TeHinaPaopao
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brittney Griner Sends Seven-Word Message After ESPN Announcement on Sunday
Brittney Griner Sends Seven-Word Message After ESPN Announcement on Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Sunday, the Atlanta Dream defeated the Washington Mystics 89–56, thanks to standout performances from Allisha Gray and rookie Te‑Hina Paopao. Advertisement Brittney Griner took to Instagram after Atlanta's rout to honor her guards, resharing an announcement post of ESPN on her Instagram story, saying, "Allisha Gray and Te-Hina Paopao both put up career highs in the Dream's 33-point victory over the Mystics 😮💨". Griner posted a seven‑word message along with it, saying, 'IT'S GIVING BIG SIS LIL SIS VIBES!💪🏽'. Her post underscored the bond between the veteran center and her dynamic backcourt, in a game where Gray erupted for a career‑high 32 points (10‑of‑14 FG, 6‑of‑9 3‑PT) and Paopao poured in 16 points on 6‑of‑8 shooting with 4‑of‑6 from deep. Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner hailed her two teammates for their performance in the Dream's latest win over the Mystics.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Gray's hot start set the tone, burying six triples in the first half alone, helping Atlanta set a franchise record with 18 made three‑pointers. Advertisement 'I was a little disappointed in how I was shooting in the last game." She admitted, reflecting on her performance. "This game for me was to start out aggressive. All I needed to see was one go in and that gave me confidence.' Brittney Griner's message on Gray and Off the bench, rookie Paopao made her presence felt both as a shooter and facilitator, dishing five assists to go with her 16 points. 'Big bruh (Gray) wants to be like me.' She joked post-game when asked about what they learned playing with each other. It highlights the bond Griner is speaking about. Head coach Karl Smesko praised the duo's chemistry, noting how Gray's willingness to share the ball has elevated the entire backcourt. Advertisement With the Commissioner's Cup now 3–1 and Atlanta sitting atop the Eastern standings at 8–3, look ahead to their next matchup against the New York Liberty. Related: Brittney Griner's Honest Admission After Making WNBA History Passing Lisa Leslie This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabrina Ionescu drops 34 as Liberty overturn 17-point deficit to top Dream, 86-81
NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu had her second consecutive 34-point game, and the New York Liberty rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half to edge the Atlanta Dream 86-81 on Tuesday night. The Liberty trailed 62-47 midway through the third quarter before taking over behind Ionescu's 15 points and Breanna Stewart's 11. Advertisement Stewart finished with 23 points. The game marked the end of the Commissioner's Cup games. Both teams entered with 3-1 records, tied with Indiana. Atlanta would have advanced to the final with a win, but Indiana, which beat Connecticut 88-71, had the tiebreaker over the Liberty thanks to the Fever handing New York its first loss of the season on Saturday. Jonquel Jones had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Liberty (10-1). Rookie Te-Hina Paopao led the Dream (8-4) with 16 points, all in the first half. Allisha Gray added 14 points and Brionna Jones and Rhyne Howard both had 13. Paopao hit six of seven shots, with four threes, to help the Dream take a 43-40 lead at the break. Advertisement The Dream were hot to start the second half, hitting their first seven shots and racing to a 64-47 lead, the largest deficit of the season for New York. Then the Liberty closed on a 13-4 run to get within eight after three quarters. The Liberty's previous largest deficit was 16 on Saturday when they lost to Indiana. Natasha Cloud's three-point play with 3:56 to play tied the game at 76. The teams traded threes before Stewart made the go-ahead layup and added another on the next possession to make it 83-79. Both were set up by offensive rebounds. Highlights
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ionescu scores 34, teams with Stewart to rally Liberty from 17 down to an 86-81 win over Dream
NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu had her second consecutive 34-point game, and the New York Liberty rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half to edge the Atlanta Dream 86-81 on Tuesday night. The Liberty trailed 62-47 midway through the third quarter before taking over behind Ionescu's 15 points and Breanna Stewart's 11. Advertisement Stewart finished with 23 points. The game marked the end of the Commissioner's Cup games. Both teams entered with 3-1 records, tied with Indiana. Atlanta would have advanced to the final with a win but Indiana, which beat Connecticut 88-71, had the tiebreaker over the Liberty thanks to the Fever handing New York its first loss of the season on Saturday. Jonquel Jones had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Liberty (10-1). Rookie Te-Hina Paopao led the Dream (8-4) with 16 points, all in the first half. Allisha Gray added 14 points and Brionna Jones and Rhyne Howard both had 13. Paopao hit six of seven shots, with four 3s, to help the Dream take a 43-40 lead at the break. Advertisement The Dream were hot to start the second half, hitting their first seven shots and racing to a 64-47 lead, the largest deficit of the season for New York. Then the Liberty closed on a 13-4 run to get within eight after three quarters. The Liberty's previous largest deficit was 16 on Saturday when they lost to Indiana. Natasha Cloud's three-point play with 3:56 to play tied the game at 76. The teams trade 3's before Stewart made the go-ahead layup and added another on the next possession to make it 83-79. Both were set up by offensive rebounds. ___ AP WNBA:
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Ionescu scores 34, teams with Stewart to rally Liberty from 17 down to an 86-81 win over Dream
NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu had her second consecutive 34-point game, and the New York Liberty rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half to edge the Atlanta Dream 86-81 on Tuesday night. The Liberty trailed 62-47 midway through the third quarter before taking over behind Ionescu's 15 points and Breanna Stewart's 11. Stewart finished with 23 points. The game marked the end of the Commissioner's Cup games. Both teams entered with 3-1 records, tied with Indiana. Atlanta would have advanced to the final with a win but Indiana, which beat Connecticut 88-71, had the tiebreaker over the Liberty thanks to the Fever handing New York its first loss of the season on Saturday. Jonquel Jones had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Liberty (10-1). Rookie Te-Hina Paopao led the Dream (8-4) with 16 points, all in the first half. Allisha Gray added 14 points and Brionna Jones and Rhyne Howard both had 13. Paopao hit six of seven shots, with four 3s, to help the Dream take a 43-40 lead at the break. The Dream were hot to start the second half, hitting their first seven shots and racing to a 64-47 lead, the largest deficit of the season for New York. Then the Liberty closed on a 13-4 run to get within eight after three quarters. The Liberty's previous largest deficit was 16 on Saturday when they lost to Indiana. Natasha Cloud's three-point play with 3:56 to play tied the game at 76. The teams trade 3's before Stewart made the go-ahead layup and added another on the next possession to make it 83-79. Both were set up by offensive rebounds. ___ AP WNBA:
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dawn Staley Sends Clear Message to Former South Carolina Star
Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks had yet another successful season, despite a disappointing ending in the national title game. South Carolina, who entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed, defeated Tennessee Tech, Indiana, Maryland, Duke and Texas, before losing to Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies in the national championship. Advertisement It marked a brutal loss for Staley and her coaching staff since it was the last chance for some of the program's biggest stars to hoist another championship trophy. One of the biggest stars that's been on the Gamecocks over the past several seasons is guard Te-Hina Paopao. The talented guard made the move to the WNBA after their NCAA Tournament run and ahead of her league debut, was named a starter for the Atlanta Dream. Staley reacted to the news of her gracing the starting lineup, sending an emphatic message to Paopao on social media. "I stand corrected!!"Staley said. "Starting at pg @tehinapaopaoo! Let's get it started Pao!!!" Paopao played her final two seasons at the collegiate level with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Advertisement During her final season under Dawn Staley and her coaching staff, boasting some of the best assistants in the country, Paopao proved to be an elite guard. Paopao posted 9.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Lee-Imagn Images Before playing two years with Staley and the Gamecocks, Paopao previously played with the Oregon Ducks, from 2020 to 2023. She was consistent throughout her five-year college basketball career, posting 11.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Related: Former WNBA Champion Involved in Caitlin Clark Incident Gets Released Related: Indiana Fever Turn Heads with Roster Announcement on Thursday
