Tag: Toronto Tempo

Golden State Valkyries podcast Michael Roberson: Thornton leads Vaklyries with 20 points in 92-82 win

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Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) heads down the floor against the Toronto Tempo at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Aug 4, 2026 (Golden State Valkyries photo)

Golden State Valkyies podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Golden State Valkyries Janelle Salaun scored 21 points and Kayla Thornton scored two three pointers and got two more in the early minutes of the second half finishing with a total of 20 points for a 92-82 win on Tuesday night.

#2 The Valkyries Veronica Burton scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had seven assists in this second of two games with the Toronto Tempo. The Valkyrie also won the first game 96-79 on Sunday.

#3 Salaun owns the Tempo scoring 61 points over the last three games against Toronto and hit 8-12 and got four 3 pointers finishing with 21 points on Tuesday night.

#4 Michael, talk about how beneficial it is for a traveling team to stay in a city like the Tempo did and play two games over three days. It gives a visiting team some rest rather than play one night and fly out that same night.

#5 Next up for the Valkyrie they hit the road against the Dallas Wings Fri Aug 7th for a 6:30pm PDT tip off. The Valkyrie have won 11 of their last 13 games going into Friday’s game.

Michael Roberson does the Golden State Valkyrie podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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Golden State gets the Win & Season Sweep on Toronto, 92-82, on South Asian Heritage Night

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Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (#5) makes a 24-foot three-point jumper in a WNBA game at Chase Center on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, in San Francisco, CA. (Photo credit Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Valkyries (21-9) ran it back with the Toronto Tempo (10-20) on Tuesday night just two days ago, on Sunday, after hosting and beating them by 17 points, 96-79. That win brought Golden State to a 2-0 season series lead on Toronto. So with that, once again, the Valkyries would beat Tempo, 92-82, as Chase Center and Ballhalla celebrated South Asian Heritage Night.

In their last game on Sunday, Valkyries Janelle Salaun would have herself a game. She would lead Golden State with her 24 points and three rebounds, and finish with two assists in the win over Toronto. Salaun’s effort coming off the bench was exactly what the Valkyries needed to win the game. Salaun shot nine for 15 with three-pointers, but just missed her career-high of 26 points on July 8th at Toronto.

Toronto entered this game on a six-game losing streak. Tempo was just, well, looking for their “tempo” and to turn things around this season. They were led by Nyara Sabally with her 19 points, eight rebounds, and one assist. Her presence and efforts in the paint were able to keep Toronto in the game, but not enough to overcome Golden State’s 29-point fourth quarter. Toronto started with guards Kiki Rice, Julie Allemand, forwards Laura Juskaite, Maria Conde, and center Nyara Sabally.

Valkyries guard Veronica Burton contributed to the team’s win with 17 points, two rebounds, and six assists. Valkyries were also perfect on the second chance points, going five for five, and finishing with 13 points in that category. So with that, head coach Natalie Nakase sent out guards Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, forwards Cecilia Zandalasini, Kayla Thornton, and center Kiah Stokes.

Just like Sunday’s game, Ballhalla had a different look for their fans. The Valkyries played on the Chase Freedom Custom Court, the first-ever Valkyries’ custom court and the only one dropped in the WNBA this season so far. For every made Valkyries shot, Chase Freedom will donate $1,000 to the Golden State Community Foundation to support youth development and education across the Bay Area. The Valkyries generated a $49,000 donation after 33 field goals and 16 free throws made.

Valkyries Cecilia Zandalasini would get the game going with a step-back three-pointer, giving an early spark to Golden State. Then teammate Kayla Thornton would knock down back-to-back three-pointers and push the score to 9-2. In fact, the first four baskets for Valkyries were all three-pointers. However, Toronto was determined to turn things around, and they did thanks to Tempo Marina Marbey, who would finish with ten points in the first quarter. At the end, it would be 25-24, Golden State holding onto a one-point lead.

Toronto, at the start of the second quarter, would knock down shots and focus more on their defense. In fact, the first five minutes of this quarter were all Toronto, as they would drop 14 points while Golden State had none in that time, to give Tempo the lead by 13 points, 38-25. However, with four minutes left, Golden State wasn’t gonna let Toronto go on a scoring run in their home. The Valkyries would cut Tempo’s lead down to four points, 40-33.

By halftime, it would be Toronto holding a one-point lead at 42-41. Tempo’s Maria Conde would lead her team with her 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists in this game. Valkyrie’s Janelle Salauan is once again playing great against Toronto so far, with her eight points and one rebound in this close one.

Coming into the third quarter, both teams were ready to make offensive moves and take control of the game. Although Toronto and Golden State would have impressive scoring runs, it would be Valkyries starting to take the lead with their 31-point performance. Especially Salaun, who is still going strong and attacking the paint. To end the third, she would see an opening and drive to the paint, with the foul and get the and-one, for a three-point play in the paint. Valkyries would take the lead, 72-68.

Going into the final quarter of the game, Valkyries’ defense would tighten up on Toronto’s offensive possessions to try and put this game away. With 5 minutes left in the game, the Valkyries held an eight-point lead on Tempo. Golden State would make some tough buckets to hold the lead. Valkyries Gabby Williams, trying her best to close this game out, drove to the paint and got her layup to go in.

With a minute left, no time outs for Tempo, and the lead at seven points for the Valkyries. One more clutch bucket would send Tempo back to Toronto with another loss. Then Tempo Marina Mabrey would foul Valkyries Kayla Thornton, and that would send her to the line for two free throws. Those free throws would ultimately be the dagger as time ran out for Toronto. Giving Golden State their second straight win, and the final score was 92-82. The Valkyries were led by Janelle Salaun again, with her 21 points on 4-for-6 at the three-point range.

The Golden State Valkyries will get a three-day rest before heading on to the road. They’ll head to the College Park Center and face off against the Dallas Wings. They’ll play against each other on Friday, August 7th, at 6:30 p.m. This will be the second time these two teams face each other, with Golden State winning the first one on June 17th, with the final score being 91-80.

Golden State Valkyrie game wrap: Valkyries impeded the Tempo 96-79, Sunday Evening inside another Sold Out Ballhalla

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Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün (13), who scored 24 points, shoots a 3-pointer over Toronto’s Kia Nurse (11) in the first half Sunday at Chase Center. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

By Michael Roberson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Golden State Valkyries (20-9) managed to overcome a blown double-digit lead and come back and overwhelmed the expansion Toronto Tempo (10-19) 96-79, in front of 18,064 fans in the Chase Center Sunday night.

The Valkyries opened the game with a 4-0 run, and had the crowd in a frenzy.  However, the Tempo had a 6-0 run of their own, to take the lead.  They held their advantage, before the home team fought back.  

Golden State finished the initial quarter with a 5-point lead, 25-20.  During the tense first quarter, there were four lead changes and two ties.  The heavily favored Valkyries appeared to have a battle on their hands.  The Tempo gave the appearance they were in the City by the Bay to play.

In the second quadrant, the Valkyries led by as many as 13 points, but managed to squander most of it by recess.  Toronto was on the verge of being blown out of the arena, but managed to forge their way back to a minute deficit, instead of double-figures.  By the time the halftime whistle blew, that 13-point lead was whittled to just one point, 44-43.

At the midway point of the game, one player from both teams managed to score at least 10 points.  Gabby Williams logged ten points for the Valkyries, while Nyara Sabally produced 12 points and seven rebounds for her Canadian organization after 20 minutes.  The Valkyries had some explaining to do at the break.

Although the Valkyries managed to score the first bucket of the second half, they were still in jeopardy of losing that previous huge lead.  Toronto did finally overcome that 13-point disadvantage at the 7:54 mark of the third quarter., 49-48.  The Valkyries were on their heels and about to disappoint the Bay Area faithful supporters.  The Tempo put the lead up to their top notch of a five point lead (56-51) approximately two minutes later.

Golden State managed to turn that deficit to an 8-point lead late in the same quarter, and eventually settled for a lead of six (67-61) after 30 minutes of WNBA action.  The Valkyries appeared to have righted the ship.

In the Final stanza, the Valkyries pushed the lead as high as 17 points, and took total control of the contest.  During the second half, despite lead changes, Golden State outscored the Tempo by 16 points.  Toronto’s coach even intimated that her team may have run out of gas in the second half.  They did have an uphill battle most of the game.

At the final buzzer, the full house erupted with joy as the Valkyries won their 20th game of the season, and fought off a potentially embarrassing loss.  After it was all said and done, the second year squad won in blowout fashion, 96-79.  The Tempo will have come right back at the victors in part two of the series.

Janelle SaSalaun led all scorers with 24 points.  Veronica Burton contributed 17 points and six assists, while Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes tallied 15 points.  Kiah Stokes grabbed 11 rebounds, to go with her eight points.

Toronto’s starting five all reached the 10+ points plateau.  The aforementioned Sabally led with 19 points and eight rebounds.  Rookie sensation Kiki Rice put up 16 points and five assists, Laura Juskaite (15), Julie Allemand (11) and six assists, and Maria Conde (10), five rebounds and five assists..

Both teams will be right at it in Ballhalla on Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00 PM PT on KMAX/KPIX+.

Las Vegas Aces game wrap: Fever Hit 14 Three’s Crushing Aces 109-75

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Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) shoots over Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0), as forward NaLyssa Smith (3) defends in the first half at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Jul 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (17-6) took on the Indiana Fever (13-9) Sunday evening at Michelob ULTRA Arena after losing to them a week ago both games being played in Las Vegas. The Aces were looking for some payback in this game but it was the Fever that ruled the roost in this game.

After three quarters, the Fever had an 80-64 lead and had led the entire game. Indiana had totally disrupted the Aces normal. They played fast early pushing the pace and forced the Aces to defend before they could get set.

This sort of play wore down the Aces. The points from beyond the arc were a huge part of the success Indiana had. The Fever crowded the passing lanes making it tough to get the ball inside to A’Ja Wilson. Wilson was not getting the clean looks that she so often gets rendering her ineffective much of the time.

The bottom line was that the Aces felt uncomfortable for most of the game. Las Vegas has struggled in first halves and the Fever took advantage playing with higher energy from the start.

The fourth quarter was a nightmare with the Aces falling further and further behind. In the blink of an eye the Fever had a twenty+ point lead 102–75. The final was 109-75 in a game that the Aces look forward to putting in their rear view.

GAME RECAP

Las Vegas got a sluggish start in the first quarter of this game. The Fever had taken early control of the game and the Aces first points on the board came two minutes into the quarter. The Aces got within two points but the Fever held the lead for the entire opening ten minutes of play and led at the half 31-22.

The Aces had gotten a slow offensive start and the Fever pressured the ball well forcing Las Vegas into difficult looks. The Fever also did a better job on the glass creating extra scoring opportunities. Indiana got early production from their key players resulting in great momentum before the Aces were even able to settle in.

Early in the second quarter the Aces called a time-out. The Fever had continued to dominate offensively leading 37-26 two minutes into the quarter. Coming out of the time-out the Aces amped up the intensity which was short-lived.

With 3 1/2 minutes left in the half the Fever had a 51-40 lead and showed no signs of taking their foot off the pedal. They were relentless and with 2:06 left on the clock Indiana had taken their largest lead of the game 54-40.

Las Vegas fought hard but just could not turn their deficit into single digits. They trailed 59-48 going into the half and had a lot of work to do in the second half.

The Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell finished the half with 20 points and Aliyah Boston shot for 15. The Aces were having a lot of trouble shutting them down. The only Ace in double digits was A’Ja Wilson with 12 points.

The Fever had continued to dictate the pace in the first half while the Aces had far too many missed shots and came up too often with empty possessions. Las Vegas had to make some major second half adjustments.

The Aces had a far better start in the third quarter pulling to within four points in the early minutes and we had a ball gamel. The Aces were looking for their first lead of the game. The momentum that Las Vegas came into the quarter with disappeared as the quarter wound down.

The Fever continued to hit three’s already with ten while Las Vegas was struggling only hitting three. As the third quarter came to an end the Fever went into the four quarter with an 80-64 lead.

The Aces had made a nice run in the third quarter but let it go in the fourth. Indiana had outscored the Aces in every quarter of the game. The fourth quarter was the icing on the cake for the Fever outscoring Las Vegas 29-11 and pushing their lead out to 91-68. With under five minutes left in the game the Las Vegas starters were all on the bench the game a pretty much done deal. The final was 109-75.

GAME NOTES

The Indiana Fever controlled the game early with a strong start. The Aces once again struggled in the first half of the game. They played from behind the entire game and never led once.

The Fever defended A’Ja Wilson really well and she wasn’t able to dominate inside as she normally does. It was all Fever with Indiana quicker to snatch up loose balls and turned defensive stops into transition opportunities.

The Fever also spread the wealth around getting contributions from multiple players. They really got Las Vegas off their game and they were never able to recover.

Kelsey Mitchell was outstanding for the Fever finishing with 27 points. Aliyah Boston had a double double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Caitlan Clark and Monique Billings both had double digits. Indiana had amazing work off the bench from Sophie Cunningham who shot for 20 points.

It was a quiet offensive night for the Las Vegas Aces in this game. A’Ja Wilson finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds, a double double. The only other player for the Aces in double digits was Jackie Young with 15 points.

The Las Vegas Aces will get a nice break not taking the court again until July 20th taking on the Toronto Tempo. They will have time to re-group and come back into the season fresh. This game will be played at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM Pacific Time.