The WNBA’s Toronto Tempo played their first game ever on Wednesday at Coca-Cola Coliseum, and “normalcy reigned” for the preseason bout against the Sun — which drew a sellout crowd of 8,210. Fans “waited in long lines for merchandise” ahead of the game, as players “went through shootaround and seats slowly filled in anticipation of tip-off.” The “energy kicked up a few notches” when starting lineups were introduced, and Tempo G Kia Nurse, from Hamilton, Ont., “received the honour of being announced last, and the sellout crowd … offered a loud roar welcoming back their hometown star.” Sun C Brittney Griner “scored the first bucket in the history of the building,” while Nurse “landed the first Tempo basket, swishing a three-pointer and sending the crowd into a frenzy.” Earlier in the night, a pre-game hype video “showed behind-the-scenes footage of the warp-speed draft and free-agency process” before ending with the slogan “The Future Starts Now” (CP, 4/29).
It was a “last chance to smooth out game-day protocols” in the arena ahead of the regular season, “from anthems to media interviews, sound checks to dance team performances.” The Tempo “even had staff with signs outside at the GO Train station directing new fans where to enter” the arena. The game “was packed,” even as the Raptors “were locked in a playoff game with the Cavaliers in Cleveland at the same time” (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/29).