In 2024, Caitlin Clark said, “The physicality is definitely up there. I’m easily pushed off screens.” Fast forward to this season, and she’s the one dishing out the bumps. When Clark hit a three-pointer over a former South Carolina star after a quick push, it wasn’t just a shot—it was a “Welcome to the WNBA” moment. While Clark’s critics started their rant, analyst Rachel DeMita called it a slick escape from a Gamecocks rookie’s bear hug. Some fans are calling it a push-off; others are defending Clark’s right to space. Social media? DEFCON 1 in an instant.
In a recent YouTube analysis, DeMita broke down the situation with a level-headed approach. “Now, did Caitlin Clark push off a bit on this three? Yes. Was Pao Pao literally bear-hugging her before the three? Also yes. Do the refs still suck in the WNBA? Also yes,” she said, offering a balanced view of the physicality at play.
But that wasn’t all as DeMita also pointed out the irony of the fan backlash: “These same people who are screaming about Caitlin’s one-arm push-off before a long three-ball were the same people last year who said that Caitlin Clark needed to toughen up and that the WNBA is physical and she needed to get stronger and she wasn’t going to get a special whistle. Those same people are arguing about a push-off now.”
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Between eye pokes from Dijonai Carrington and hard fouls from Chennedy Carter, Clark’s rookie year was a masterclass in tough love yet people are now complaining about a pushoff three.
The critique brings to light the contradictions often seen in how fans and analysts view physicality in the game. Diana Taurasi, a WNBA legend, has long understood this. In a 2023 ESPN interview, she explained, “You’ve got to create your space… People aren’t going to give you open looks at this level. You have to earn every inch.” Creating space, whether it’s through subtle pushes or sharp cuts, is part of the game, and Clark is more than equipped to navigate this physicality.
Becky Hammon, head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, also emphasizes the importance of physicality in creating opportunities. “In this league, it’s about angles, leverage, and sometimes using your body in ways that aren’t in the stat sheet,” Hammon said in an interview with The Athletic in 2024. Underscoring how crucial the unspoken parts of the game are in determining who controls the court.
Fans React to Tehina Pao Pao and Caitlin Clark’s Push-Off Three: A Physical Showdown
One fan put it perfectly: “Pao Pao had her hands all over her, and they’re gonna call out the push-off?”
In the Fever’s 81-76 victory against Atlanta, Pao Pao was the top scorer for the Dream with 14 points. But it wasn’t her scoring that had fans buzzing—it was the physical battle between her and Caitlin Clark. With 5:02 left in the second quarter, Pao Pao was all over Clark, locking her down in an attempt to stop any of her signature threes. But Clark, adjusting to the physicality of the WNBA, gave her a light push and drained a three-pointer.
What caught the most attention, however, was the way Pao Pao was holding Clark. Analysts like Rachel DeMita couldn’t help but notice it looked almost like a bear hug. One fan fired back: “If they’re not calling the bear hug, they shouldn’t call the push-off. It’s a no-call each way.”
And honestly? They have a point. The refs didn’t call either potential foul, maybe because they’re letting the WNBA embrace more physical play this season. It’s a trend seen across the league—just look at the Connecticut Sun’s preseason game against the Liberty, where refs let similar hard contact slide without a whistle.
College Basketball: University of Arkansas vs University of South Carolina Feb 20 February 20, 2025: South Carolina guard Te-Hina Paopao 0 bring ball up court. NCAA, College League, USA basketball game between University of Arkansas and University of South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina. David Beach/CSM Credit Image: Â David Beach/Cal Media Columbia Sc United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20250220_zma_c04_174.jpg DavidxBeachx csmphotothree356362
Another fan echoed the sentiment: “She was holding her. Look at all the fouls that didn’t get called on her.”
And yeah, Pao Pao was practically attached to Clark’s waist. But to both players’ credit, neither complained. In fact, Pao Pao fired back with a step-back three over Clark just minutes later, and after the game, she said, “I was kind of mad that she scored that three on me. So I knew I had to get that lick back, and that’s what I did, so I appreciate my teammates for understanding that.” Now that’s what we call competition.
One fan summed it up perfectly: “Gotta push off when the on-ball defender gets to hold with two hands non-stop.”
And honestly, that’s just basic basketball—whether it’s the WNBA or the NBA. Even in a league that’s slashed physicality by 70% since MJ’s heyday, players like Luka, Harden, Dame, and even Chef Curry still have to fight through those tough defenses. Forget the fancy crossovers; it’s all about creating space, and sometimes, that means giving a little nudge.
And another fan pointed out: “That girl wasn’t even hand-checking, she was literally trying to hug CC!”
But in the end, the refs made the right call to let both potential fouls slide. Pao Pao should be applauded for her plays—whether it was swatting Lexie Hull’s ball in the paint or even trying to guard Clark. And, of course, hitting that clutch three herself. Now that’s WNBA basketball.
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