The Golden State Valkyries left Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto with an 83-75 road victory over the Toronto Tempo on July 8, 2026, powered by a dominant offensive performance from Janelle Salaun and a relentless effort on the glass that proved to be the difference in a competitive WNBA contest.
Salaun was the clear catalyst for Golden State, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 26 points. Her ability to create and convert kept the Valkyries ahead whenever Toronto threatened to close the gap. Veronica Burton complemented her with steady playmaking, distributing six assists to keep the Golden State offense flowing, while Kayla Thornton was a force on the boards, pulling down a game-high nine rebounds.
For the Tempo, Isabelle Harrison delivered a gutsy effort in a losing cause, finishing with 24 points and eight rebounds — a double-double performance that gave Toronto a fighting chance throughout the night. Point guard Julie Allemand was equally active in facilitating, racking up seven assists to keep the home side’s offense organized. Despite their individual contributions, Toronto could not generate enough collectively to overcome a Golden State squad that executed when it mattered most.
The Valkyries’ shooting efficiency told much of the story. Golden State connected on 26 of 58 field goal attempts for a 45 percent clip, and proved particularly dangerous from beyond the arc, draining 11 of 30 three-point attempts at a 37 percent rate. Their ability to get to the free-throw line also proved crucial — Golden State attempted 25 free throws, converting 20 of them for an 80 percent mark, adding a reliable secondary scoring avenue that Toronto struggled to match.
On the glass, Golden State’s dominance was especially telling. The Valkyries hauled in 31 total rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end. Those second-chance opportunities translated directly into points and extended possessions that repeatedly stifled any Tempo momentum. Toronto simply could not afford to give a team of Golden State’s caliber that many extra looks at the basket.
Turnovers were a concern for the Valkyries — they committed 16 in total — and those miscues kept the Tempo in striking distance for long stretches. Harrison and Allemand made sure Toronto stayed competitive, but the combination of Salaun’s scoring, Golden State’s perimeter shooting, and their commanding rebounding advantage ultimately proved too much for the home side to overcome.
The final margin of eight points, 83-75, reflects a game that was genuinely contested but one in which the Valkyries controlled enough of the key statistical categories to secure a convincing road win. Golden State’s seven steals also disrupted Toronto’s offensive rhythm at critical moments, preventing the Tempo from ever building the sustained runs they needed to take the lead late.
The loss is a tough one for Toronto at home, while Golden State will take confidence from a well-rounded road performance heading forward in the WNBA season.
