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  • Tempo vs Sun Game Report, September 24,2026

    Tempo vs Sun Game Report, September 24,2026

    The Toronto Tempo may have lost their final game to the Connecticut Sun 95 – 81, but they may have won in the long run as they now co-own the best lottery odds in the 2027 WNBA Draft. 

    We break down the good, bad, and outlook from this game.

    The Good

    In many ways, this game was a poetic end to the season. For the Toronto Tempo, this game might be the end of their season but this is very much just the beginning for this franchise. For Connecticut, on the other hand, this was the final game in the Mohegan Sun Arena and it is sad to see the first tribal-owned professional sports franchise based in a small market be moved to another big market. 

    Coming into this game, some Tempo fans also cleverly coined it the Juju bowl. To recap this game’s lottery implications: a Tempo win would have solidified the second-best lottery odds in the 2027 WNBA Draft. A Sun win meant the Tempo will share the best lottery odds with the Sun. 

    Right from the jump, both teams understood the brief and rested most of their key players. With the understanding that we were never going to be treated to the highest level of competitive basketball, the good from this game comes from the little moments. 

    We saw Teonni Key have some really good defensive moments and Zaay Green highlights capped off the first AND third quarters. Meanwhile, Isabelle Harrison found lots of success with the pick-and-roll.

    However, the star of this game for the Tempo was Kiki Rice. Rice once again showcased how unstoppable she is at driving to the basket with her unique combination of speed, force, and strength. She also showed off her post moves, made long-range shots, and she finished off the final game of her rookie season by setting a new career high of 28 points. In hindsight, getting Rice with the sixth overall pick was an absolute heist. We can’t wait to see how her game develops next season. 

    The Bad

    The same issues that have plagued the team all season long reared its head one last time this season. Simply put, the Sun dominated the paint, outscoring the Tempo 54 – 38. In the first half, Aaliyah Edwards muscled her way for offensive rebounds, layups, and trips to the free throw line. 

    In the third, the Sun made a consolidated effort to dump it into the post and find the mismatch. Reegan Beers put on a masterclass of how a pure centre can help your team and why the Tempo sorely needed one this season. 

    The Tempo’s offense was not clicking consistently this game either. They struggled from the 3-point line, shooting just 17% from 3, and made numerous careless initial passes leading to Sun run outs. As a team, the Tempo tallied up just 13 assists and the offensive flow looked quite disjointed, especially in the second half. 

    The Outlook

    And yet, all of that doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that the Tempo now share the best lottery odds for the number 1 pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft with the Connecticut Sun. While it is not guaranteed that Juju Watkins declares for the draft, these odds give Toronto plenty of hope for their short-term and long-term future. 

    The Tempo will now brace for a very interesting offseason. The inaugural season saw plenty of highs and lows, and it also raised a lot of questions about roster construction and style of play moving forward. How they address those questions this offseason will be fascinating and exciting. One thing is for certain, however. We have no doubts that the Toronto Tempo will come back stronger and (hopefully) healthier next season. 

  • Tempo vs Sky Game Report – September 22, 2026

    Tempo vs Sky Game Report – September 22, 2026

    The Toronto Tempo fell 97-85 to the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night, extending their losing streak to seven games with only one game left in their inaugural season.

    Toronto kept things close through the first half, heading into halftime tied 44-44, before another third-quarter meltdown completely changed the game.

    Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the outlook.

    The Good

    Laura Juškaitė and Isabelle Harrison both stepped up offensively, scoring 20+ points each.

    Harrison finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds for another double-double, with an impressive 17 of those points coming in the first half.

    Laura had 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc — on her birthday no less! She also added four assists and four steals. She just looks more comfortable out there every game, and continues to be one of my favourite stories from this inaugural season.

    And a quick shoutout to Julie Allemand, who quietly hit a pretty impressive milestone in this game. Her five assists against Chicago brought her to 171 on the season, setting a new single-season career high. Her previous best was 170 with the Sparks last year. Julie doesn’t always put up the flashiest numbers, but her ability to run the offence and get everyone involved has been huge for the Tempo all season.

    The Tempo as a whole shot a pretty wild 50% from three, going 13-of-26. Everything happening closer to the basket was a different story.

    Even after falling behind by as much as 22, Toronto didn’t give up. They won the fourth quarter 30-25 and closed the game on a 12-2 run.

    The Bad

    Ah yes, the third quarter. Our old friend.

    After heading into halftime tied at 44, Toronto was outscored 28-11 in the third. Chicago went on a 16-0 run during the quarter and suddenly what had been a very competitive game was basically out of reach.

    Turnovers certainly didn’t help. Toronto finished with 18, leading to 24 points for Chicago.

    The Sky also absolutely dominated inside, outscoring Toronto 54-28 in the paint. Toronto actually won the rebounding battle 40-35, but Chicago shot 52% overall compared to Toronto’s 39%.

    Harrison was fantastic in the first half, but after scoring 17 before halftime she managed only four points the rest of the way.

    Nyara Sabally also didn’t see the floor again, which continues to be a little strange after watching her play for Germany throughout the FIBA World Cup. She had been dealing with a calf injury before the break, so my assumption is that the Tempo simply don’t see much benefit in risking another injury this late in the season. But without anything official from the team, that’s just speculation.

    The Outlook

    And now things get weird.

    Toronto closes out its inaugural season on Thursday against the Connecticut Sun in what might be one of the strangest games of the WNBA season.

    Both teams are at the bottom of the draft lottery standings, and the outcome has some pretty significant implications. If Toronto loses, both teams will finish 11-33 and are expected to have equal lottery balls for the top draft position. If Toronto wins, Connecticut stays ahead of them in the lottery order.

    With JuJu Watkins widely projected as the top prospect in the 2027 WNBA Draft (assuming she enters) you can probably see where the tanking conversation comes from.

    But there’s another layer.

    Thursday will be the final game for the Connecticut Sun before the franchise relocates to Houston and becomes the Comets next season. It’s hard to imagine the players not wanting to send the Connecticut fans home with one final win.

    And based on what we’ve watched from Toronto all season, it’s equally hard to imagine this team intentionally rolling over for better draft odds.

    So… I guess we’re cheering for a competitive loss?

  • Tempo vs Wings Game Report – July 5, 2026

    Tempo vs Wings Game Report – July 5, 2026

    Paige Bueckers led the Dallas Wings to a decisive 89-76 win over the Toronto Tempo on Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Despite coming off a week of rest, an already short-handed Tempo squad entered the game further depleted by injuries, missing forward Temi Fagbenle (left eye) and floor general Julie Allemand (left ankle). Another slow start allowed the Wings to take control right from the opening tip, building a lead they would never relinquish.

    Let’s break it down!

    The Good

    Tempo fans were relieved to see Marina Mabrey back in the lineup after neck spasms sidelined her for the previous game against the Phoenix Mercury. Mabrey provided an early spark in the first quarter, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to fuel hope for another big night. However, with Toronto’s limited scoring options on the floor, Dallas focused its defensive attention on Mabrey, holding her to only 19 points.

    Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally continue to solidify themselves as a strong front court duo, bringing their signature grit and physicality to the floor. Sabally delivered a well-rounded 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Harrison chipped in 13 points and five boards.

    Meanwhile, Kia “when you need me” Nurse stepped up again off the bench scoring 12 points on the day.

    With the unexpected scratch of Allemand right before the game, Head Coach Sandy Brondello was forced to activate new developmental player Ornella Bankole. When asked post game, Sandy was pleased with the newcomers’ efforts saying “I thought she came in and just played hard,” noting that Bankole is still learning the system having only been with the team for a “hot minute”. In her eight minutes on the floor, the European import offered a glimpse of the physical, athletic defense she is known for, picking up two rebounds and a steal.

    The Bad

    The reality is, Toronto had no true point guard and it showed. Tima Pouye got her first start of the season and attempted to step into the role but struggled on both ends of the floor. Despite playing 21 minutes, Pouye finished the game with 3 points and zeros across the rest of the stat sheet. It was a tall ask for the french guard who is still finding her footing in the league. 

    With the offensive engine stalled, the Tempo were left to scrap and fight for every bucket. Unfortunately, the defense really let the team down, specifically on the glass. Early on, Toronto gave the Wings too many second and third chances due to a failure to box out. Missing those defensive boards also completely killed Toronto’s transition game.

    Coach Brondello called this out post-game: “We gave up 8 offensive rebounds in the first quarter. We keep talking about it, but it’s a mindset.”

    In games where Toronto is fighting uphill, the little things matter. Free-throw shooting was a major differentiator, with the Tempo hitting just 71% compared to the Wings’ 93%. Then there were the turnovers: Dallas converted Toronto’s miscues into 23 points, while the Tempo managed just 16 points off turnovers. For a team that wants to play fast, taking care of the ball is non-negotiable.

    The Outlook

    Given the dismantled roster, it was reassuring to see the Tempo remain competitive against a top-tier league opponent. This group continues to show a growth mindset, maintaining a belief that anyone in the locker room can step up and contribute through adversity.

    Up next for the Tempo, the Golden State Valkyries visit the Coca Cola Coliseum for the first time this season. Golden State will be another tough matchup for Toronto as the team is currently on a 5-game winning streak. Golden State (15-7) sits in 3rd place in the Western Conference and is the best defensive team in the WNBA. Watching their defensive connectivity is a thing of beauty except if you (like us) will be cheering on the Tempo.

    The Valkyries are also giving “older sister” energy to the Tempo. They’ve paved the way in this expansion era, joining the league last year and setting an expansion team record for wins in their inaugural season.

    Fingers crossed the Tempo can get healthy for what promises to be an incredible matchup!

  • Tempo vs Mercury Game Report – June 27, 2026

    Tempo vs Mercury Game Report – June 27, 2026

    In their first ever game at the Scotiabank Arena – which also coincided with the inaugural Pride game – an injury-riddled Toronto Tempo fell to the equally depleted Phoenix Mercury 89 – 80. 

    We break down the good, bad, and outlook.

    The Good

    Marina Mabrey, coming off a historic 53 point game, was ruled out right before the game after suffering neck spasms during warmups. Without Mabrey as the team’s offensive driver, the Tempo needed others to step up; for the most part, the team answered the call.

    Kudos to Julie Allemand. Once again, she served the role of the Tempo’s floor general brilliantly, contributing 10 assists (along with 11 points and 7 rebounds). Her ability to use screens to drive, change speeds, probe, and patiently find the right player to pass to for easy buckets was put on full display.   

    The Tempo also found success from the 3-point line. Overall, the team shot 40% from 3 (going 12 of 30), with Allemand, Kia Nurse, and Tima Pouye leading the charge.

    This may have been Pouye’s best game as a Tempo. While we saw glimmers from the last game, we felt that this was the most connected and integrated Pouye has been on the offensive end.  

    Our bigs also contributed. From Izzy’s mid-range pick-and-pops to Sabally going two for three from the 3-point line to Fagbenle’s hook shots, our three bigs chipped in 34 points collectively.  

    In the latter part of the final quarter, Mabrey’s absence was truly felt. After Sabally hit a 3 to shrink the Mercury’s lead to two points (78 – 76) with just over three and a half minutes to go, the Tempo ran out of steam. We only scored one field goal and two free throws in the final three minutes, while the Mercury pulled ahead to seal the win. 

    The Bad

    Simply put, the Tempo could not stop Kahleah Copper; her combination of speed, athleticism, and strength to get to the basket. No one could contain Copper and while doubling her led to some success, it didn’t work well enough. Copper ended the night with a game-high 27 points. 

    The Mercury also effectively used an inside-outside attack. Once players like Copper or Valeriane Ayayi drew a double team from the Tempo defenders, they would kick the ball out for open 3’s. We have to give a personal shout out to one of our favourites – former Tempo Lexi Held – who shot 3 of 5 from the 3-point line (we still aren’t sure why she didn’t get more of a chance in Toronto).

    This game also featured a glaring free throw disparity. The Mercury shot 29 free throws while the Tempo only shot 12. Some of the calls, especially against Nyara Sabally, were eyebrow raising. However, the Tempo also did not do themselves any favours by missing six of their twelve free throws. In a tight game, those missed free throws became more glaring.

    We have to give the Mercury credit. This team was also missing numerous key players, including their MVP Alyssa Thomas, Monique Akoa Makani (who would have given the Tempo lots of trouble with her stellar point-of-attack defense), and key role players like Natasha Mack and Sami Whitcomb. Even without those players, the Mercury played more physical and consistent defense throughout the game, and hit more key shots down the stretch.

    The Outlook

    July is going to be absolutely brutal for the Tempo. Eight of the nine games in July will be against teams in the upper echelon of the WNBA. This will be a serious test for the Tempo. They are going to have to play their absolute best to stay in playoff contention. 

    This test begins on July 5 when the Dallas Wings will visit Coca Cola Coliseum. Led by Paige Bueckers, the offensive powerhouse Dallas Wings have vastly improved since last season. They drafted Azzi Fudd (the 2026 first overall pick), added Jessica Sheppard (who is the frontrunner to win most improved player this season), and Alanna Smith (co-defensive player of the year award winner in 2025).

    The good news is that the Tempo will have a week to rest and prepare for the challenge ahead.  

  • Tempo vs Dream Game Report – June 22, 2026

    Tempo vs Dream Game Report – June 22, 2026

    The Toronto Tempo find themselves back in the loss column after a disastrous first quarter. Despite big efforts from Marina Mabrey and Isabelle Harrison, the Tempo were unable to overcome the deficit and dropped the game 94-87 against the Atlanta Dream.

    Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the outlook.

    The Good

    On paper, winning three out of four quarters is usually enough to secure a victory. However, an 18-point first-quarter deficit proved too massive to overcome, even for a Tempo squad known for its resilient comebacks.

    If you look past the opening frame, there were notable positives – like the return of Nyara Sabally to the lineup. This marked just the third game all season where the Tempo have had both Sabally and Harrison active. With Harrison still finding her footing during their brief overlap in early June, this game offered an exciting glimpse at a frontcourt searching for stability and synergy.

    While Sabally had a quieter night on the stat sheet, she still anchored the interior with 9 points, 4 blocks, and 4 steals, helping re-establish a physical presence in the paint.

    For Harrison, it was a historic performance. She captured the Tempo’s first-ever double-double, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds. We’re loving watching Harrison’s confidence and fierce competitive edge grow with each game. Harrison and Mabrey were critical in leading the Tempo’s fight to climb back into the game. 

    With Brittney Sykes sidelined, Mabrey is visibly stepping into a primary leadership role. Where other players might panic and force possessions, Mabrey showed excellent patience, letting the game come to her and consistently attacking the rim. Her versatility, combined with her accountability in the post-game press conference, is a fantastic sign for Toronto moving forward.

    The Bad

    The story of the game was written in the opening chapter. Atlanta delivered a blunt wake-up call, racing out to a 16-5 lead before head coach Sandy Brondello called timeout. From there the team started to settled into the game, but it was too little too late, ending the first quarter down 33-15. 

    Mabrey summarized the execution lapse perfectly post-game:

    “We didn’t execute our game plan whatsoever. If you’re going to do that against a team like Atlanta you’re going to get beat pretty badly. Honestly, we didn’t get beat that badly because we won the last 3 quarters but it’s disappointing to play like that because you work so hard those next 3 quarters to try to come back and then you’re going to come up short.”

    While Toronto’s frontcourt showed offensive flashes, they struggled to contain Atlanta’s powerhouse trio of Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Madina Okot, who combined for 49 points.

    Beyond Mabrey, the backcourt continues to struggle offensively. With Kiki Rice and Brittney Sykes out, the Tempo haven’t found a consistent second scorer to rely on. Julie Allemand, Tima Pouye and Kia Nurse are reliable role players but may not have the prowess the Tempo need to fill the void. 

    The Outlook

    The Tempo have developed a bad habit of starting slow and spending the rest of the game playing catch-up. With an already intense schedule and a short bench, the Tempo need to find a way to start the game with authority to avoid furthering their visible fatigue and to dictate play from the first whistle.

    We love the accountability from Mabrey after the game, calling out herself and the team to address this:

    “Personally as one of the leaders I need to find a way to help us come out ready to play. And also, everyone else in that starting lineup. They gotta come out and be ready to play. That’s all there is to it.

    Toronto has an immediate opportunity to course-correct tonight against a Los Angeles Sparks team missing star player Kelsey Plum (out at least four weeks with a lower left leg injury).

    With a brutal July stretch looming – where eight of the next nine games are against teams above .500 – these next few matchups are near-mandatory wins for the Tempo.

    The Sparks will also be without Cameron Brink tonight due to a left ankle sprain. On the Tempo side, Rice and Sykes remain ruled out for their 8th and 3rd consecutive games, respectively.

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