Tempo, Liberty successfully turn to rookie guards out of necessity

Coach Sandy Brondello is returning to New York on Wednesday night to lead her expansion Toronto Tempo against the host Liberty.

Brondello, who coached the Liberty to the WNBA title in 2024 -- the only championship in franchise history -- left New York in September 2025. That's when the Liberty announced that they were not renewing her contract.

But Brondello is not the only storyline in this game. Both the Tempo and Liberty have 5-4 records and two-game winning streaks, and both teams have rookie point guards who have blossomed following injuries to veteran leaders.

For Toronto, Kiki Rice -- who helped UCLA win a national title last season -- ranks third on the team (among qualifying players) in scoring (13.1) and assists (2.7). The first-round pick took off when veteran Julie Allemand suffered a left hip injury.

Allemand returned on Saturday but as a reserve as Toronto routed visiting Seattle 93-72.

Rice scored 17 points in 28 minutes. Allemand scored six points in 17 minutes, and she also had a team-high-tying four assists.

Allemand and Rice were on the court together at times, and Brondello said that will continue.

"We always knew Kiki and Julie would play together," Brondello said. "We want to utilize that. It's our strength. But we also don't want to over-use Julie (coming off the injury), and we can go in a lot of different directions (in terms of lineups)."

Toronto's leading scorers are Brittney Sykes (19.9) and Marina Mabrey (18.7).

Meanwhile, the Liberty -- who are just 2-3 on a homestead that has two games remaining -- are led in scoring by Breanna Stewart (18.8) and Jonquel Jones (12.7).

Rookie point guard Pauline Astier ranks third on the Liberty in scoring (12.0) and second in assists (3.6) among qualifying players.

Astier, a 24-year-old native of France, has been a find as an undrafted player. The daughter of two former pro basketball players, Astier is shooting incredibly well -- 61.2% on field goals, 47.1% on 3-pointers and 75% on free throws.

Teammate Rebekah Gardner said Astier has been a huge bonus for the Liberty, especially with All-Star point guard Sabrina Ionescu limited to just one game so far this season due to a foot injury and currently a back ailment.

"(Astier) has been awesome," Gardner said. "I know EuroLeague prepared her for this."

--Field Level Media