Overview
- The Valkyries beat the Toronto Tempo 96-79 on Aug. 2 and followed with a 92-82 win on Aug. 4 to complete a two-game sweep at Chase Center.
- Reserve Janelle Salaun led the run, scoring 24 then 21 points for 61 points across the meetings and repeatedly changing momentum off the bench.
- Golden State used depth and late-game defense, with contributions from Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton, to secure consecutive wins and move to 21-9, tied for second place.
- Toronto debuted trade-acquisition Aneesah Morrow on Aug. 4, when she had eight points and five rebounds but was assessed a Flagrant 1 for an elbow on Kayla Thornton.
- The Tempo’s injury-thinned roster and inconsistent bench scoring left them on a prolonged skid—seven straight losses and 11 defeats in 12 games—despite the Morrow addition and Marina Mabrey’s return; Toronto traded a 2028 second-round pick and the rights to Maria Kliundikova to get Morrow.