Story by
Toronto Tempo suspend key starter’s contract before three-game road stretch
- Story by
- Toronto Tempo suspend key starter’s contract before three-game road stretch
Toronto Tempo suspend key starter's contract before three-game road stretch originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Toronto Tempo will be without one of their most important guards for the final three games before the WNBA's international break.
Advertisement
Toronto temporarily suspended Julie Allemand's contract after she left the team to join Belgium ahead of the FIBA Women's World Cup, according to TSN reporter Chelsea Leite. The move is procedural and is not a disciplinary action. Allemand is expected to return to Toronto after the tournament.
Her absence nevertheless creates another challenge for an expansion team that has struggled throughout August.
MORE: Angel Reese makes WNBA history with rebounding performance never seen before
Allemand leaves major hole in Toronto lineup
Allemand has averaged 6.3 points, 5.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 29 appearances this season. She has started 27 games while playing 28.7 minutes per contest.
Advertisement
The 5-foot-8 guard will miss Wednesday's road game against the Seattle Storm , Friday's matchup with the Las Vegas Aces and Saturday's visit to the Phoenix Mercury .
Toronto then will join the rest of the league for a scheduled pause from Aug. 31 through Sept. 17 while the World Cup is played in Berlin. Allemand is expected to represent Belgium during the Sept. 4-13 tournament. Her next opportunity to play for Toronto is expected to come Sept. 18 against the Indiana Fever .
The timing of her departure leaves the Tempo short-handed during a difficult stretch. Toronto fell to 11-26 after Sunday's 88-78 loss to Las Vegas. It was the Tempo's eighth defeat in nine August games, and the expansion club already had been eliminated from playoff contention.
That does not make the remaining schedule meaningless.
Advertisement
Toronto can use its final games to evaluate players, develop its rotation and identify pieces for its second season. Allemand has established herself as one of those foundational pieces, particularly because of her ability to create opportunities for teammates.
For the next three games, however, the Tempo must find another way to organize their offense without their regular starting point guard.
