The Toronto Tempo made their WNBA debut with a close 83-78 loss to the Connecticut Sun in a pre-season game at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Kia Nurse scored the first basket for the Tempo, while the Sun's Brittney Griner netted the first field goal in the venue. Despite a strong performance that included a 10-point lead in the third quarter and leading scorer Lexi Held’s 18 points, the Tempo couldn't maintain control as the Sun rallied back to win, highlighted by Aneesah Morrow’s pivotal contributions off the bench.

By the Numbers
  • Tempo shot 35.5% from three-point range on 31 attempts.
  • Aneesah Morrow scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Yes, But

The Tempo played without key players including top draft pick Julie Allemand and veteran Brittney Sykes due to injury, which may have impacted their performance. The absence of these core players raises questions about their depth and resilience in upcoming games.

State of Play
  • The Tempo are preparing for their home opener against the Minnesota Lynx on May 8.
  • The Sun are looking to rebound from a challenging previous season with new talent like Aaliyah Edwards contributing significantly.
What's Next

The Tempo will finalize their pre-season with a game against the Minnesota Lynx, which will be crucial for building team chemistry and momentum ahead of the regular season. The Sun will face off against the New York Liberty, aiming to capitalize on their recent victory.

Bottom Line

The Toronto Tempo showed promise in their inaugural game despite the loss, with the potential for growth as they welcome back injured players. Their ability to integrate new talent will be vital as they enter the regular season.