Super Sandy soaks in Tempo's first-ever win

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WNBA star Brittney Sykes revealed how she and her Toronto Tempo teammates lay in wait – water at the ready – in the locker room for Australian head coach Sandy Brondello after the expansion franchise secured its first-ever win against the Seattle Storm today (AEST).

“She got caught lacking,” Sykes laughed.

“She thought it was cool coming in there, and she just had her paper and then Kia (Nurse) had the keyword; she didn’t hear it, so we can’t say it again. Hahaha.

“But we called our keyword, and then we just lit her up with some water.”

Brondello added: “Yeah, and it was very cold water.”

Ever the coach, Brondello claimed she was prepared.

“I was ready for it,” she said.

“I took my jacket off. I knew it was gonna happen.”

Toronto Tempo 86 def. Seattle Storm 73

Expansion franchise Toronto Tempo claimed the first win in club history behind a balanced offensive performance and the steady hand of Australian Opals coach Sandy Brondello, beating the injury-hit Seattle Storm 86-73 in Canada.

Toronto improved to 1-1 in its inaugural WNBA season with Marina Mabrey catching fire from deep, while Seattle dropped to 1-2 without injured Australian star Ezi Magbegor, who was sidelined with a right foot injury.

Australian guard Jade Melbourne provided a spark off the bench for Seattle with 14 points and six assists in 28 minutes, finishing as one of the Storm’s most productive players despite the loss.

Toronto controlled the game through its perimeter shooting and defensive pressure, forcing 19 Seattle turnovers while knocking down 11 three-pointers.

Marina Mabrey led the Tempo with 26 points, six made threes and four steals, while Brittney Sykes added 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Maria Conde chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

"Marina is a sniper, isn’t she?" Brondello said.

"One of the best shooters in this league, so very happy to have her here.

"It kinda helps you when you got that player that obviously everyone has to guard way out there.

"You see what she’s capable of – to play off the dribble, filling behind. She’s got deep range.

"When we’re making shots like that it just opens up a little bit inside. I thought Slim did a great job of getting downhill and getting to the rim.

"We got to 18 free throws. That’s okay. We had 34 in the first one, but I think they called a little more. But yep, we’re still getting downhill and getting into the paint and being aggressive. I think that’s so important for us.

"But yeah, Marina, she’s tough. That’s it. She’s been doing this all her career. We want her to keep doing what she does."

Seattle stayed within striking distance through three quarters before Toronto closed with a 19-11 fourth quarter.

French star Dominique Malonga impressed again for Seattle with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Stefanie Dolson added 16 points on 6-from-8 shooting.

Melbourne’s aggression changed the pace for the Storm bench unit. The Australian finished 5-from-9 from the field, added three steals and repeatedly attacked Toronto in transition.

The absence of Magbegor was significant defensively with Seattle out-rebounded 33-28 and unable to consistently contain Toronto’s dribble penetration and kick-out game.

For Brondello, the win marked another milestone in a decorated coaching career after becoming the inaugural coach of the Tempo expansion franchise ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

🇦🇺 Australians

• Jade Melbourne (Seattle) – 14 points, six assists, three steals in 28 minutes
• Ezi Magbegor (Seattle) – DNP (right foot)
• Sandy Brondello (Toronto coach) – first win in Tempo franchise history

By the Numbers

• Toronto shot 38% from three (11-from-29)
• Seattle committed 19 turnovers
• Marina Mabrey scored 26 points with six made threes
• Jade Melbourne scored 14 points off the bench
• Toronto won the fourth quarter 19-11

Las Vegas Aces 98 def. Connecticut Sun 69

A'ja Wilson and Chennedy Carter overwhelmed Connecticut as the Aces cruised to a 29-point road win, while Australian Opals forward Stephanie Talbot continued her efficient start to the WNBA season.

Las Vegas improved to 2-1 with a dominant second-half performance, outscoring the Sun 50-32 after halftime to silence the Connecticut crowd.

Wilson controlled the paint with 22 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in just 21 minutes, while Carter exploded off the bench for 27 points on 13-from-16 shooting.

Talbot again embraced her role-player minutes efficiently, finishing with four points on perfect 2-from-2 shooting along with two rebounds in 12 minutes.

The Aces shot 54% from the field and dominated the glass 46-29, repeatedly generating second-chance opportunities through Wilson, Carter and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus.

Las Vegas also forced Connecticut into difficult half-court possessions, holding the Sun to just 33% shooting from the field and 3-from-13 from beyond the arc.

Chelsea Gray orchestrated the offense with seven points and six assists, while Jackie Young added 11 points and six assists.

🇦🇺 Australian

• Stephanie Talbot (Las Vegas) – 4 points, 2 rebounds in 12 minutes on 2-from-2 shooting

By the Numbers

• Las Vegas shot 54% from the field
• Connecticut shot just 33% overall and 23% from three
• Chennedy Carter scored 27 points on 13-from-16 shooting
• A’ja Wilson posted 22 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes
• Las Vegas won the rebound battle 46-29

Chicago Sky 69 def. Golden State Valkyries 63

Rickea Jackson and Skylar Diggins lifted the Sky to a gritty road win as Chicago erased a nine-point first-quarter deficit to hand Golden State its first home loss of the season.

The Valkyries fell to 2-1 despite another strong all-around performance from Gabby Williams, while Australian guard Miela Sowah did not see court time for Golden State.

Chicago’s defense proved decisive after halftime, limiting the Valkyries to 35 points across the final three quarters while forcing difficult perimeter looks throughout the night.

Jackson finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Diggins added 15 points and seven assists. Jacy Sheldon contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

The Sky overcame inefficient shooting of their own, finishing just 36% from the field, but dominated key hustle categories with eight steals and eight blocks.

Golden State struggled offensively all night, shooting just 29% from the field and 7-from-26 from three-point range.

Williams led the Valkyries with 18 points and three triples, while Veronica Burton added 16 points and four assists. Veteran center Kiah Stokes anchored the interior with 11 rebounds and five blocks.

Kayla Thornton endured a difficult shooting night, finishing scoreless despite grabbing six rebounds in 30 minutes after going 0-from-11 from the field.

Australian guard Sowah was listed as a coach’s decision DNP.

🇦🇺 Australian

• Miela Sowah (Golden State) – DNP (coach’s decision)

By the Numbers

• Chicago held Golden State to 29% shooting
• The Valkyries shot 27% from three-point range
• Rickea Jackson finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists
• Gabby Williams scored 18 points for Golden State
• Chicago recorded eight steals and eight blocks