The Toronto Tempo gave a glimpse of their potential on Sunday, but a first-quarter surge was not enough to secure a win against the visiting Atlanta Dream, who stormed back to take a decisive 102-77 victory at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
In their highly anticipated inaugural season, the Tempo came out firing, playing with the exact energy head coach Sandy Brondello had called for before the game. An early three-pointer from point guard Julie Allemand set the tone, and a connected effort on both offence and defence saw Toronto build a commanding 25-13 lead by the end of the first quarter, electrifying the home crowd.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second frame. The Dream, a more experienced and cohesive unit, responded with force, cranking up their defensive pressure and starting the quarter with a 12-0 run that erased Toronto's hard-earned lead. By halftime, Atlanta had asserted control and entered the break with a 47-39 advantage.
Dream's intensity proves too much
Atlanta's comeback was powered by standout performances from their stars. Allisha Gray led all scorers with 26 points, while Rhyne Howard was close behind with 24. High-profile rookie Angel Reese recorded an impressive double-double, dominating the paint with 17 rebounds and 15 points.
Coach Brondello acknowledged the turning of the tide after the game, crediting Atlanta's strategic adjustments. The Dream's intensity, she noted, disrupted the Tempo's offensive flow.
When we get a little stagnant is when we hold it too long, but credit to them. I think they raised up their defensive intensity, and we didn't find solutions well enough to exploit that. They went to switching, which was hurting us as well.
The switch in defensive strategy by Atlanta forced Toronto into more one-on-one situations, stalling the ball movement that had proven so effective in the first quarter. The experienced Dream roster capitalized on the Tempo’s resulting hesitation and offensive stagnation.
Harrison ejection compounds woes
The Tempo's struggles were magnified midway through the third quarter when forward Isabelle Harrison was ejected from the game. Harrison, who had been Toronto's most effective player with 17 points in just over 19 minutes, was assessed a flagrant foul while battling for a rebound with Reese.
While Reese missed the subsequent free throws, the loss of Harrison for the remainder of the contest was a significant blow to a Toronto team already grappling with a depleted roster. Brondello lamented the ejection, highlighting Harrison's crucial role on the court.
“It's unfortunate," she said. "I thought Izzy was playing so well for us, and she was a big target. I thought she did a great job on Angel Reese, and that's a hard guard."
The team is already feeling the effects of its inaugural season, with centre Nyara Sabally missing her second consecutive game with a right hamstring injury. As an expansion team in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), building depth and resilience in the face of such challenges is a key focus for the franchise.
Building an identity
Despite the lopsided final score, Coach Brondello continues to focus on the long-term project of building the Tempo's identity. She has consistently emphasized the need for a full 40 minutes of consistent effort and execution, a common challenge for new teams finding their footing in a competitive league. The arrival of the WNBA in Toronto has been a landmark moment for Canadian basketball, tapping into the city's proven passion for the sport. The Tempo, playing out of the 8,000-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, are part of a league-wide expansion, with a focus on growing the game's global footprint. This inaugural season, while expected to have its growing pains, is a foundational step in that process. As the league continues to grow, so does the business around it, with major brands like Adidas seeking to recruit future basketball stars. In a similar vein, Canadian athletes like Cyle Larin are making waves.
The team will now look to regroup as they head out for a three-game road trip, which begins on Tuesday. Brondello sees the trip as a critical opportunity for the team to grow and bond, away from the pressures of home court. The Tempo will return to Toronto for a home game on June 25.
“I love going on the road," she says. "It's an opportunity for us to continue to grow together, bond together, and play really good teams, and hopefully continue to show more of our identity."
