2026 WNBA season opener: Liberty dominate Sun, Mystics edge historic Toronto Tempo

The 2026 WNBA season commenced with contrasting narratives as the New York Liberty secured a commanding 31-point victory over the Connecticut Sun. In a separate contest, the Washington Mystics defeated the league's newest franchise, the Toronto Tempo, in the expansion team's inaugural game. The Liberty, despite missing key stars Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally, outscored their opponents 42-19 in the paint and recorded 19 fastbreak points to seal a 106-75 result.

Breanna Stewart spearheaded the Liberty's offensive resurgence, scoring on the team's first possession of the season. She finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, one steal, and three blocks, marking her first 30-point game since the 2025 playoffs. This performance signals a return to MVP-level form under new coach Chris DeMarco, following a frustrating 2025 campaign where Stewart missed significant time due to knee injuries and failed to make an All-WNBA team.

The Connecticut Sun, currently in the early stages of a rebuild, conceded 106 points in a game where their defence was described as sloppy. The absence of star guard Leïla Lacan, who remains overseas, compounded their struggles as they allowed consistent transition opportunities to the Liberty. The Sun's inability to contain the Liberty around the basket highlights the challenges they face before their final season in Uncasville.

In the second game, rookie Sonia Citron delivered a crucial performance for the Washington Mystics, scoring a team-high 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Citron made decisive plays in the final minutes to secure a comeback victory for the Mystics, who otherwise struggled with shooting efficiency, managing only 16-of-52 from the field. Her ability to carry the offence suggests she will be a central figure for the Mystics throughout the season.

The Toronto Tempo made history as the first Canadian-based WNBA team, playing their first-ever game at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The atmosphere was intense, with crowd noise reaching 105.4 decibels during Marina Mabrey's fourth-quarter three-pointer, a level noted by Yale University as potentially causing hearing damage with sustained exposure. Despite the loss, the debut proved the new franchise has the support to compete.

While the Tempo may face growing pains as an expansion team, the opening night demonstrated their capacity to engage fans and challenge established clubs. The season continues with further fixtures, including a showdown between the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings featuring the last four No. 1 picks in WNBA history.