9
May
Aussies in the WNBA
Georgia's Mystics spoil Brondello's Toronto debut
Georgia Amoore of the Washington Mystics looks to pass during Washington’s opening game against the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto on May 9, 2026. Photo: Tara Walton/NBAE via Getty Images.
Highlights
Georgia Amoore debuted as Washington spoiled Toronto’s first-ever WNBA game under Sandy Brondello.
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Australian guard Georgia Amoore made her WNBA regular season debut while Ally Wilson also featured as the Washington Mystics spoiled the Toronto Tempo’s historic first-ever WNBA game with a 68–65 win at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto on May 9, 2026 (AEDT).
"It was a great moment," Brondello said.
"Sad that we didn’t win the game, didn’t close it out, um, but the fans were fantastic.
"It was a very ugly game. Hopefully they get way prettier than that as we move forward.
"The physicality bothered us a bit, but I think we were our own worst enemy.
"We held the ball too long. Their post players were very intimidating at the rim. We forced too many mid-ranges, which is not a great shot in the game.
"We have to stay together during the process because it’s gonna be hard, but we have to embrace hard.”
Washington Mystics 68 def. Toronto Tempo 65
Coca-Cola Coliseum – Toronto
2026 WNBA Season Opening Night
The game marked the opening night of the 2026 WNBA season and the first game in franchise history for Toronto, coached by Australian mentor Sandy Brondello.
Washington built a seven-point halftime lead and held off a late Tempo rally despite shooting just 39% from the field and 21% from three-point range.
Amoore finished with six points, three rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes, knocking down two triples while posting a team-best +16 plus/minus in her first official WNBA appearance. The former Kentucky guard also recorded two steals.
Wilson added two points, two rebounds and one assist in 17 minutes off the bench for Washington.
The Mystics controlled the glass 44–37 behind rookie forward Kiki Iriafen’s 12-point, 16-rebound performance, while Shakira Austin had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sonia Citron led Washington with 26 points on 9-from-12 shooting.
Toronto struggled offensively in its inaugural game, shooting 27% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc, despite Marina Mabrey scoring 27 points and Brittney Sykes adding 14.
Australians
- Georgia Amoore (Mystics) – 20 mins │ 6 pts │ 2–9 FG │ 2–7 3PT │ 3 reb │ 3 ast │ 2 stl
- Ally Wilson (Mystics) – 17 mins │ 2 pts │ 1–3 FG │ 2 reb │ 1 ast
- Sandy Brondello (Tempo head coach) – Led Toronto in the franchise’s first-ever WNBA game.
New York Liberty 106 def. Connecticut Sun 75
Barclays Center – New York City
2026 WNBA Season Opening Night
Key Details
- New York Liberty opened the season with a 31-point win at home.
- New York exploded for 66 first-half points and led by 29 at halftime.
- Liberty shot 52% from the field and recorded 26 assists.
- Connecticut committed 16 turnovers and shot just 18% from three-point range.
- Australian wing Rebecca Allen did not play for New York (coach’s decision).
Top Performers
- Breanna Stewart (New York) – 31 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks
- Marine Johannes (New York) – 17 points, 5-from-9 3PT
- Julie Vanloo (New York) – 12 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds
- Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (New York) – 12 points, 4 assists
- Diamond Miller (Connecticut) – 16 points
- Aneesah Morrow (Connecticut) – 15 points, 6 rebounds
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