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  • Tempo vs Mystics Game Report – August 19, 2026

    Tempo vs Mystics Game Report – August 19, 2026

    The Toronto Tempo have officially missed the playoffs and extend their losing streak to 12 games after falling 93-82 to the Washington Mystics on Wednesday August 19th.

    Playing on the second night of a back-to-back and missing four key players in Mabrey, Conde, Sabally and Sykes, the Tempo still managed to keep things competitive for most of the night.

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

    The Good

    Playing back-to-back games is rough, especially while missing four key players, but the team stepped up and came out strong against the Mystics. Toronto kept the game close in the first quarter, trailing by only one after 10 minutes.

    Kiki Rice showed some serious hustle, tying her career high with 19 points while shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. She was attacking the paint, finishing through contact and generally looking more confident out there.

    It felt like she had some serious Slim vibes going on, and she commented in the presser, “I was sitting next to Slim a lot on the bench, so she’s just constantly giving me feedback, encouraging me, telling me what I need to do out there.”

    Morrow finished with 13 points and eight rebounds despite being limited by early foul trouble. I am loving what she brings to the team. She upped the physicality to the level expected from the Mystics and didn’t back down.

    There were some decent team numbers as well. The Tempo shot 40.7% from three and committed only eight turnovers. Ignoring the second quarter (which is admittedly doing a lot of work here) they played a pretty solid game despite being so shorthanded.

    The Bad

    Unfortunately, we can’t actually ignore the second quarter.

    The Tempo scored only nine points, the lowest-scoring quarter in franchise history. A one-point game after the first suddenly became a 14-point deficit at halftime.

    The other big issue was rebounding. Washington outrebounded Toronto 43-27 and absolutely crushed them in second-chance points, 23-7. With Sabally and Conde both out, the lack of size was pretty obvious.

    Morrow brought some of the physicality we needed, but getting into foul trouble early limited her minutes at a time when the team desperately needed her on the floor.

    And of course, the losing streak has now reached 12 games and the Tempo have officially been eliminated from playoff contention.

    The Outlook

    Missing the playoffs is disappointing, but not unexpected. Not every expansion team is going to come out as strong as the Valkyries did last season, and that’s ok.

    At this point, we need to focus on the team’s development and health. Rice continues to look like a huge part of the team’s future, and I really like what we’ve seen from Morrow since she arrived.

    Next up, the Tempo head to Vancouver as part of the team’s Cross-Canada Series to host Portland. Toronto is 0-2 against the Fire this season, so hopefully the energy in Rogers Arena can help them finally grab their first win against their fellow expansion team.

    Based on the games in Montreal and the general hype for the Tempo across Canada, expect this one to be packed!

  • Tempo vs Dallas Wings Game Report – August 12, 2026

    Tempo vs Dallas Wings Game Report – August 12, 2026

    The Toronto Tempo came close but ultimately lost to the Dallas Wings, 94-88, and have now lost ten straight games. It was an entertaining game that saw the Tempo showcase a competitive fire that has been lacking of late.

    We break down the good, bad, and outlook.

    The Good

    The Tempo came into this game losing their last nine games – all with similar arcs. The Tempo get off to a good start; they play poor defense; the wheels start to fall off in the second half; they rally a bit but either not enough to come back or their opponent pulls ahead in the 4th quarter and we lose by double digits. It’s been a deflating journey.

    In this game, despite already being down two starters in Julie Allemand and Maria Conde then losing Nyara Sabally after the first half, the team showed a level of competitiveness and passion that have been lacking as of late.

    Two players that led this charge were Kiki Rice and Aneesah Morrow. Kiki Rice scored 13 points and added three boards, five assists, and two steals. Furthermore, she guarded Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogubowale admirably throughout the game. Did she win her matchup defensively every single time? No, but her effort to stay in front of her player, recovery, and switching are all ingredients that this team needs to improve defensively.  

    Meanwhile, Aneesah Morrow was once again a beast on the boards. Her hunger to fight for possessions is infectious and exactly what this team has been sorely needing. We would argue that the effort from both of these younger players ignited runs that kept the Tempo in this game.

    We also have to give a shout out to Kia Nurse. Captain Kia made some huge shots and was aggressive in finding her shot on the second unit. She did a great job in getting herself open for the 3-ball shot, while also bringing fight and energy on the defensive end. She even took a charge from Arike!

    Another player that deserves a shout out is Laura Juškaitė who contributed 18 points. When Juškaitė plays with confidence, her versatility and intelligence on the court help give the Tempo options. Whether it’s a timely drive to the basket or a pass to the next open player, Juškaitė has a talent for making the right play. And, when she makes a mistake, she will find a way to make up for her mistake on the very next play.

    Last but not least, we have to praise the play of Marina Mabrey who scored 23 points. In the 4th quarter, Mabrey put her patented microwave scoring on display. Tamika Nurse called it on the broadcast. The Tempo needed to get Mabrey the ball. On the next possession, they did and Mabrey ended up scoring 14 points in the final quarter and the Tempo almost pulled off a comeback victory.

    As a team, the Tempo outrebounded the Wings and scored more points in the paint. This was refreshing to see. And, while our defense still needs so much improvement, there were flashes in this game where the Tempo showed better rotations, recovery, help, and extra effort. 

    The Bad

    While the Tempo finished competitively, they unfortunately didn’t start out that way. We saw the same poor habits that have plagued the Tempo during this losing streak, including an overreliance on the 3-ball and poor transition defense.

    Defensively, we also saw the Tempo put a concerted effort to double Paige Bueckers during the pick-and-roll. While this strategy did limit Bueckers to zero points in the first half, it also created completely open looks for her teammates. As a result, they shot the 3-ball very well in the first half. 

    The Tempo need to communicate better on defense. Throughout the game, the Wings kept cutting to the basket for open layups. 

    And yet, this game was still gettable in the 4th quarter. Yes, the Tempo made multiple mistakes at the end of the game, including giving up an offensive rebound with 57 seconds left, a missed Mabrey free throw that could have made it a three-point game with fifty seconds to go, and an offensive foul and travel committed by Izzy Harrison at the end of the game. However, Arike Ogunbowale received a very friendly whistle tonight. She shot 14 free throws, just four shy of the total number of free throws that the entire Tempo team shot. While some calls were correctly called, we could also argue that Laura Juškaitė drove to the basket and received similar contact as Arike and curiously did not receive the same free throw opportunities.

    The Outlook

    The Tempo finally get to travel back home and have nearly a week to rest and regroup. The bad news is that their next opponent is yet another above .500 team in the Indiana Fever who will be a handful.

    Their big three in Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, and Aliyah Boston have been playing incredible basketball and stopping any one of them will be a challenge for the worst defensive team in the WNBA. Look for Kelsey Mitchell to do what Arike did tonight with even more speed and efficiency. Boston now has a reliable three-point shot to go along with her pick-and-roll and low-post game. Caitlin Clark can both facilitate at an elite level and shoot from anywhere on the floor.

    This will not be easy for the Tempo. We hope that the chance to play back at home, a significant amount of rest, and the unveiling of the new mascot can swing this team to finally get back into the win column.

  • Tempo vs Portland Fire Game Report – August 6, 2026

    Tempo vs Portland Fire Game Report – August 6, 2026

    The road-weary Toronto Tempo was unable to keep up with the Portland Fire and fell 97 – 83, and extending their losing streak to eight games. 

    We break down the Good, Bad, and Outlook from this game. 

    The Good

    Admittedly, this was a tough game for Tempo fans to watch and we wish there was more good to take from this game. 

    Nevertheless, there were some small bright spots. This includes newly acquired, Aneesah Morrow. Morrow is every bit as advertised. Every time she was on the floor, she brought refreshing energy and tenacity that this team sorely needs. Even in a bench role, she led the team in rebounds and shot the ball efficiently for 11 points. She was also able to finish inside with strength. 

    We also want to give a nod to Laura Juškaitė and Nyara Sabally. No, neither shot the ball efficiently but they demonstrated their creativity and willingness to switch it up on offense. When the Fire defense doubled the ball handler, Sabally slipped past the defenders to get open near the free throw line or cut to the basket to attack inside. 

    Meanwhile, Juškaitė was arguably the only Tempo player who played with patience and always tried to make the right next play to help the Tempo offense. 

    This trio, along with Julie Allemand and Maria Conde, also spearheaded the only stretch in the middle of the 4th quarter where the Tempo played with hunger, determination, and urgency. Yes, we realize the Fire had probably let go of the rope by that point, but the Tempo have to find a way to bottle up the type of hustle and competitiveness demonstrated in that stretch for the team to find their way out of this losing streak.

    The Bad

    The broadcast said it the best, Portland looks like they were having fun; the Tempo did not. Let’s be honest. The Tempo looked road-weary and deflated from this ongoing losing streak. And it showed on the court. The Tempo missed a lot of layups, free throws, and 3-pointers. The passing was flat and there were a lot of isolation plays from individual players, leading to poor shots.

    With the Tempo offense struggling, the Fire took full advantage. Missed shots led to easy run outs by the Fire who absolutely thrive in these types of situations. 

    The Tempo also looked lethargic on the defensive end. The Fire must have sensed that Mabrey did not look 100 percent healthy out there and made her work on defense. This led to open stepback 3s and blow bys. 

    The Tempo further struggled to handle the speed of Carla Leite. Simply put, she carved our perimeter defenders and left them in the dust, leading to easy layups and passes to open shooters. She was also deadly from 3 and shot a whopping 15 of 17 from the free throw line. As a result, Leite scored a game high 27 points. 

    The Outlook

    The road does not get easier for the Tempo. Their five-game road trip continues and the team travels to Atlanta to play the Dream next. The Dream have taken all three of the matchups so far this season, and most of those games have resulted in one controversy or another. 

    The Dream currently hold the record for the fourth best team in the WNBA and feature a potent combination of star players, including Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, and Brionna Jones, who recently returned from injury and is one of the best bigs in the game.  

    The cards are certainly stacked against the Tempo. But, we are going to lean into Florence and the Machine when they sing “it’s always darkest before the dawn”. Shake it out, Tempo and Tempo fans. Let’s regroup and come back with some competitive spirit in Atlanta. 

  • Tempo vs Valkyries Game Report – August 4, 2026

    Tempo vs Valkyries Game Report – August 4, 2026

    The Toronto Tempo kept pace with the Golden State Valkyries for much of their second matchup in three days, but turnovers, poor rebounding, and another fourth-quarter fade resulted in a tough 92-81 loss.

    Toronto led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, but Golden State closed the first half on a 16–4 run before pulling away late. The loss extends the Tempo’s losing streak to seven games.

    We break down the Good, Bad, and Outlook from the game.

    The Good

    Aneesah Morrow saw her first minutes in a Tempo jersey, and it was exciting to see her make an immediate impact. Her first basket came less than a minute after checking in, when she confidently knocked down a 3-pointer.

    Morrow 24′ 3PT Jump Shot (3 PTS) (Allemand 2 AST) c/o https://stats.wnba.com

    Morrow finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block in just over 16 minutes. She brought exactly the type of energy and aggression the Tempo had hoped to add when they acquired her, particularly on the glass. With Toronto struggling badly with rebounding this season, Morrow should have plenty of opportunities to make her mark.

    MISS Burton 2′ Driving Layup c/o https://stats.wnba.com

    The Tempo also showed more hustle than we have seen in some recent games (even during the final minutes). Several loose-ball scrambles ended with players on the floor, and Kiki Rice reminded us that she refuses to give up on a play.

    Morrow 2′ Driving Layup (5 PTS) c/o https://stats.wnba.com

    Julie Allemand quietly put together another excellent all-around performance. She finished with seven points, eight assists, four steals, and zero turnovers. Maria Conde also continued her strong play, scoring 17 points and hitting five three-pointers.

    The Bad

    This game gave me a bit of deja-vu.

    The Tempo came out strong, the Valkyries increased their physicality, Toronto became flustered, and the offence fizzled out in the fourth quarter. Even the post-game presser sounded like it could have come from any of the previous six losses, with Sandy Brondello repeating the familiar message: “We’ve got to be a little bit tougher.”

    Toronto led by 13 mid-way through the second quarter, but that lead disappeared quickly mid-way through the second quarter. During one 23–4 Golden State run, the Tempo shot just 1-for-8 and committed six turnovers. By the fourth quarter, they managed only 13 points.

    Once again, the Tempo got beat up physically. Marina Mabrey took a shoulder to the face early in the first quarter, while Nyara Sabally could still be seen holding her ribs following contact. The continuing injuries are worrying, and several players clearly are not operating at full strength.

    Toronto was also dominated on the glass. Golden State outrebounded the Tempo 44–31 and collected 15 offensive rebounds. It is difficult enough to beat a team as good as the Valkyries without repeatedly giving them additional possessions.

    Mabrey finished with 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting and missed all four of her three-point attempts despite playing 35 minutes. The Tempo need to find more effective ways to get Marina open and shooting in rhythm. Being tightly guarded and repeatedly double-teamed is clearly getting frustrating. But, this is what good teams do and it is on the Tempo to adjust and come out with a better game plan.

    The Outlook

    Tonight, the Tempo face the Portland Fire, who sit at 11–19 and are attempting to end a five-game losing streak of their own. Toronto has now lost seven straight, so something has to give.

    Portland won the first meeting between the expansion teams 99–80, although Mabrey and Rice each scored an impressive 19 points for Toronto.

    This is one of the more winnable games remaining on the Tempo’s schedule, but they cannot afford another collapse after halftime. Toronto needs to protect the ball, compete on the glass, and maintain its physicality for all four quarters, not just the first two.

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  • Tempo vs Valkyries Game Report – August 2, 2026

    Tempo vs Valkyries Game Report – August 2, 2026

    When push came to shove, the Tempo were unable to keep up with the Golden State Valkryies’ physicality, falling 96-79 and extending their losing streak to six games.

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

    The Good

    For two and a half quarters, the shorthanded Tempo kept up with the third-seeded Valkyries. Despite their lack of effectiveness from the 3-point line, the Tempo switched up their strategy, using physicality and attack inside the paint. While this has generally been an area in need of improvement, they executed the strategy against the Valkyries’ defense. 

    Kiki Rice and Nyara Sabally both shone in this style of offense. Kiki reminded us of her strength and tenacity, getting to the basket and finishing while remaining completely unafraid of contact. Our rookie finished with 16 points, shooting an efficient 6-of-12 from the field.

    Meanwhile, Nyara scored a game-high 19 points for the Tempo, also shooting 6 of 12 from the field. Her speed and finishing abilities were on full display, while also contributing three 3-pointers. In addition, we saw Sabally hit a couple of pick-and-pop midrange shots that we typically see Izzy Harrison make consistently, but not as consistently for Sabally. She hit them with confidence this game, and we wonder if this could be the next step toward unlocking her offensive toolkit. 

    For those two and a half quarters, despite not having their leading offensive creators on the floor, the Tempo played well as a team and gave us hope that they might be able to steal this game. That was especially true midway through the third quarter, where we saw peak Tempo basketball: active hands on defense leading to transition baskets at the other end.

    The Bad

    However, in the final quarter and a half, Golden State adjusted their game plan and increased their physicality on both ends of the floor. From there, the scrappiness and physicality of the Valkyries flustered the Tempo, leading to Toronto turnovers and successful Golden State drives to the basket. This stretch was reminiscent of their first matchup where Golden State simply bullied the Tempo to submission. Unfortunately, the same problem reared its head again.

    Similar to their first matchup, the Golden State bench played phenomenally. Janelle Salaün came off the bench to score a game-high 24 points and looked simply unstoppable. Toronto Raptors fans might see some similarities between her game and watching Brandon Ingram last season. Once they get to their spots, even if their shot is not the quickest, it is money (even with a hand in the face). Overall, the Valkyries’ bench scored 46 points to the Tempo’s 8. 

    Finally, we have to mention that Golden State shot 48% from the 3-point line, shooting 14-of-29 from the field, while the Tempo only shot 23% (7 of 30). While the Tempo did find success dictating the physicality in the first two and half quarters, once the script was flipped, they reverted to relying on the 3-ball and couldn’t find the bottom of the net.

    The Outlook

    The same two teams will be facing off again at Chase Center for a rematch. Knowing how much success the Valkyries have with their physicality, we expect them to bring that intensity from minute one. It is up to Coach Sandy Brondello and the Tempo to find ways to counter that intensity and find success without letting the Valkyries get under your skin. 

    On offense, we liked seeing the Tempo attack the paint more. From this past game, you can see that Kiki Rice and Nyara Sabally can both be used in these ways. Can they find a better balance between going inside and shooting the 3-ball, making themselves more dynamic and harder for the Valkyries to guard? 

    What might help is the arrival of newly acquired player, Aneesah Morrow, who is slated to play and does not back down from any physicality. It will be exciting to see what she brings, and this game could provide the perfect opportunity for her to showcase her strengths. 

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