Valkyries end losing streak against Tempo ahead of August 4 rematch
Janelle Salaün scored 24 points as the Golden State Valkyries beat the Toronto Tempo on August 2, setting up a quick rematch two nights later with a season series sweep on the line.
The Golden State Valkyries beat the Toronto Tempo on August 2, 2026, ending a two-game losing streak, with Janelle Salaün scoring 24 points. The teams met again on August 4, with a Valkyries season series sweep on the line.
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Toronto Tempo on Sunday, August 2, snapping a two-game losing streak, according to reports. Janelle Salaün led the way with 24 points. Marina Mabrey, described as the Tempo's leading scorer and an all-star, did not play despite being listed as available, and Aneesah Morrow, acquired by Toronto at the trade deadline, also sat out. The two teams meet again on Tuesday, August 4, in what was the only WNBA game scheduled for that night. The Valkyries won the first meeting of the season series 83-75 on July 8, with Salaün scoring 26 points, and took the most recent prior meeting 96-79 on August 3, when she added 24 more, according to reports. A win on Tuesday would complete a season sweep of Toronto. The stakes differ sharply for the two sides. The Valkyries had slipped to the No. 3 seed in the standings, four games behind the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, while the Tempo arrived on a six-game losing streak, according to reports. Morrow, a former Connecticut Sun player, was expected to make her Toronto debut in the rematch.
Valkyries snap skid behind Salaün's 24 points
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Toronto Tempo on Sunday, August 2, 2026, ending a two-game losing streak, according to reports. Janelle Salaün led the way with 24 points.
Gabby Williams appeared in the game despite a pregame report indicating she would be out. A later report confirmed she returned to the court, though the discrepancy between the two accounts was not explained.
Marina Mabrey did not play for Toronto. Reports had described the All-Star guard as the Tempo's leading scorer and listed her as available for the matchup, making her absence notable. No reason for it has been given.
Aneesah Morrow also did not appear. The forward, acquired by Toronto at the trade deadline from the Connecticut Sun, had been expected to make her Tempo debut against the Valkyries. Morrow, a former DePaul and LSU standout, was named WBCA and USBWA National Freshman of the Year in 2022, according to Wikipedia.
Pregame injury reports had suggested both teams could be missing multiple key players for the contest. The final score of the game has not been reported.
Salaün thrives as the Valkyries' bench scorer
Janelle Salaün has built an unusual season in Golden State. According to eastbaytimes.com, she is the Valkyries' second-leading scorer despite not having started a single game all season, producing her numbers entirely as a reserve.
That production has been especially punishing for Toronto. Reports indicate Salaün led the Valkyries in scoring in both prior meetings with the Tempo, pouring in 26 points in the 83-75 win on July 8 and another 24 in the 96-79 victory on August 3.
Salaün herself appears untroubled by her role. As long as she gets on the court, she said, there is no difference between starting and coming off the bench.
The arrangement has worked for Golden State, giving the team a reliable scoring punch from the second unit while leaving opposing defences with little respite when the starters rest.
Janelle Salaün said that as long as she gets on the court, there is no difference between starting and coming off the bench.
Tempo's skid continues as Morrow waits for debut
The Tempo arrived at Sunday's game on a six-game losing streak, according to reports, and their troubles were compounded by the absence of Marina Mabrey. Described as the team's leading scorer and an All-Star, Mabrey had been listed as available but did not take the court.
Attention also centred on Aneesah Morrow, acquired from the Connecticut Sun at the trade deadline, who was expected to make her Tempo debut against the Valkyries. Reports indicated she did not play in Sunday's game, leaving that debut still pending. Morrow played college basketball for DePaul and LSU and was named WBCA and USBWA National Freshman of the Year in 2022, according to Wikipedia. Her arrival represents a significant addition for a Toronto side searching for answers.
What is at stake in Tuesday's rematch
Tuesday's rematch is the only WNBA game on the schedule that night, airing live on TSN1 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. According to reports, a Valkyries victory would complete a season series sweep of the Tempo, following wins of 83-75 on July 8 and 96-79 on August 3. Golden State entered the week as the No. 3 seed, four games behind the Minnesota Lynx for the top spot, so every result carries weight in the standings race. Pregame injury reports suggested both teams could be missing multiple key players, adding uncertainty to a matchup the Valkyries have controlled all season.
College honours
First meeting of the season series
Valkyries–Tempo regular-season game
Most recent prior meeting before August 4
Scheduled Tempo–Valkyries rematch
Broadcast details
Frequently asked questions
When do the Toronto Tempo play the Golden State Valkyries?
The Toronto Tempo were scheduled to play the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. It was the only WNBA game on that Tuesday night. According to reports, the game was set to air live on TSN1 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. The matchup was part of a Tempo road trip and was a rematch against the Valkyries.
Who won the previous Tempo vs Valkyries games this season?
The Valkyries won the first meeting of the season series 83-75 on July 8, and won the most recent prior meeting 96-79 on August 3, according to reports. Janelle Salaun led the Valkyries in scoring in both games, with 26 points on July 8 and 24 points on August 3. A Valkyries win on August 4 would complete a season series sweep of the Tempo.
Did Aneesah Morrow make her Toronto Tempo debut?
Aneesah Morrow was acquired by the Tempo at the trade deadline and was expected to make her debut against the Valkyries. According to reports, she did not play in the August 2 game. Whether she ultimately debuted on August 4 is not yet confirmed. Morrow previously played for the Connecticut Sun, and played college basketball for DePaul and LSU, where she was named WBCA and USBWA National Freshman of the Year in 2022.
Why didn't Marina Mabrey play against the Valkyries?
Marina Mabrey, described in reports as the Tempo's leading scorer and an All-Star, was listed as available to play against the Valkyries but did not play in the August 2 game. The reason for her absence has not been explained. Pregame injury reports indicated both teams could be missing multiple key players for the matchup.
Who is Janelle Salaün and why does she come off the bench?
According to the East Bay Times, Janelle Salaün is the Golden State Valkyries' second-leading scorer despite not having started a game all season. Salaün has said that as long as she gets on the court, there is no difference between starting and coming off the bench. She reportedly scored 24 points in the Valkyries' win over the Tempo, which ended a two-game losing streak.
Compiled from reporting by 12 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
