The Toronto Tempo battled hard but could not overcome the Las Vegas Aces, falling 88-78 on Sunday night in Vancouver.
Las Vegas star A’ja Wilson led the way with 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, helping the Aces pull away against a Toronto team dealing with a depleted lineup.
Toronto received a strong contribution from Kia Nurse, who scored a team-high 19 points off the bench. Despite the loss, the Tempo continued to compete after ending their 12-game losing streak with an 82-79 victory over the Portland Fire on Friday.
The Tempo entered the game without several key players, including Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, Aneesah Morrow, Nyara Sabally and Maria Conde, leaving the expansion club with limited depth against one of the WNBA’s top teams.
Las Vegas’ experience and star power ultimately proved to be the difference. Wilson controlled the game at both ends of the floor, while the Aces used their depth and execution to maintain control and secure the 10-point victory.
For Toronto, Nurse’s performance was a positive sign, but the Tempo were unable to generate enough offense to complete another upset following their emotional win over Portland.
The loss dropped Toronto to 11-26 as the Tempo continued to navigate a difficult inaugural WNBA season that has been heavily affected by injuries. The club will now turn its attention to the upcoming road trip, beginning with a matchup against the Seattle Storm on Wednesday.
Final Score:
Las Vegas Aces 88, Toronto Tempo 78
Toronto Leaders:
– Kia Nurse — 19 points
Las Vegas Leaders:
– A’ja Wilson — 27 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
