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  • 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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  • Tempo vs Sun Game Report – June 19, 2026

    Tempo vs Sun Game Report – June 19, 2026

    Under the most unlikely of scenarios, the Toronto Tempo came back from a sixteen point deficit to beat the Connecticut Sun 101 – 97 on the road in the teams’ second matchup in a week. 

    We break down the good, bad, and outlook

    The Good

    We have seen her do this before, but still have to pick our jaws up from the floor. Marina Mabrey did it again, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter, and establishing a new career high 37 points. She was simply sublime in the 4th, hitting five 3-pointers and attacking the closeout and splitting defenses for layups. It seemed like the Sun may have thought that this game was over before then. Their defense was shell-shocked and defended like they were in quicksand while Mabrey simply could not miss. 

    If you haven’t caught this game yet, do it. Mabrey’s performance will dazzle you and make you a believer.

    Beyond Mabrey’s sensational game, we also want to give a shout out to Tèmí Fágbénlé, who also scored a career high this game with 19 points. She also nearly attained a double-double with nine rebounds. This was the most confident we have seen Fágbénlé since returning from injury. She played with less hesitancy and far more fluidity, taking shots and being part of good ball movement. Defensively, our team still has a long way to go to protect the paint, but this game was largely positive for Fágbénlé. 

    We also want to give a big shout out to María Conde who contributed 19 points off the bench, hitting five 3’s with swagger. It feels like you can really tell when Conde is feeling her shot (her legs mid-air have a tell) and she was on fire tonight.

    Finally, we note the improvement in ball movement. There were more moments in this game where we saw an extra cut or an extra pass and it led to good results. More of that, please!

    The Bad

    Like the previous game against the Connecticut Sun, the weaknesses amongst the Tempo team are glaring. The Sun outscored the Tempo in the paint, 54 – 32. The combination of Brittney Griner, Aneesa Morrow, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa further got their hands on too many offensive rebounds or tip out for second and third chances on defense. They put on a clinic in the third quarter and it looked like the Sun were going to run away with this game, thanks to those clear advantages.

    In addition, the Tempo once again struggled with their transition defense. We have noticed that while the Tempo are excellent when they turn their opponents over and attack in transition, we are not very strong in defending this same situation. The speed of the Sun’s attack in transition led to automatic points. This is reminiscent of the Tempo’s struggle against players like Allisha Gray. 

    The Outlook

    As with the last time the Tempo faced the Sun, they played the Dream next in their house. 

    This rematch comes on the heels of an event-filled first matchup. You can read about why in that game’s report, but we anticipate the Atlanta fans will not be kind to Izzy and the Tempo will have to weather that storm.

    More importantly, in that first game against the Dream, the Tempo really struggled to contain Atlanta’s star-studded combo of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard who scored 26 and 24 respectively.

    The Tempo need a better defensive game plan to prevent them from going off again. And, we will have to do so without our best two defensive guards available. 

  • Tempo vs Fever Game Report – June 16, 2026

    Tempo vs Fever Game Report – June 16, 2026

    A tough night all around for the Toronto Tempo. Kelsey Mitchell and the Indiana Fever dismantled the Tempo 113-91, handing them their 3rd straight loss. To make matters worse, star guard Brittney Sykes left the game with a non-contact injury that left fans fearing the worst. 

    Let’s discuss the good, the bad and the outlook. 

    The Good

    Hopes were high in the first half as the Tempo looked up to the task early on, going basket-for-basket with the Fever. This was largely due to Laura Juškaitė, who matched her career-high with 19 points, including scoring 10 points in two minutes during the second quarter alone. It was a well-rounded performance from the Lithuanian rookie, who also chipped in four assists, two rebounds and three steals on the night. 

    But Juškaitė wasn’t alone in her efforts. Marina Mabrey recorded 11 points and five assists in the first half – a performance that reminded us that she’s more than just a deep threat. Mabrey found ways to create for herself but also others, finishing with 18 points and 7 assists. This was a strong outing and something we hope Mabrey can continue moving forward with an injury-ridden backcourt. 

    Entering halftime with only a 3-point deficit felt like a great spot to be for the Tempo. Sykes, Harrison and Condé were all contributing and it seemed we were headed towards a signature Tempo dogfight. This is when we unfortunately moved to the bad. 

    The Bad

    The wheels fell off quickly in the third quarter as Indiana outscored Toronto 32-23. The Tempo struggled to contain the Fever backcourt with Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham who both caught fire to combine for 21 of Indiana’s 32 points in the frame.

    But the real dagger came at the 6:46 mark. While driving to the basket, Brittney Sykes dropped to the floor in sudden, visible pain. A collective breath was held across Tempo Nation as “Slim” exited the game with what was immediately deemed a non-contact foot injury. 

    Sandy Brondello’s face said it all when the camera panned to the Tempo’s head coach with her head in her hands and a worrisome look spread across her face. Thankfully, the post-game diagnosis offered a massive sigh of relief. The latest updates indicate that Sykes has suffered a plantar fascia injury, a relief compared to the devastating Achilles tear that fans initially feared. Toronto expects Sykes back on the hardwood at some point this season but an exact timeline remains up in the air.

    While the second half is best left forgotten for Toronto, the final box score highlights glaring issues the Tempo must address. Rebounding remains a massive vulnerability, especially with Nyara Sabally and Kiki Rice out of the lineup. The Fever dominated the glass 47–22.

    Furthermore, Toronto continues to struggle against elite playmakers. Much like previous outings against Olivia Miles and Georgia Amoore, the Tempo defense was easily deconstructed by Caitlin Clark, who dished out 14 assists. When the Tempo weren’t letting Clark dictate the floor, they were putting her on the line. Helped by a whistle-happy referee crew, Clark attempted 14 free throws which nearly matched the total amount of free throws awarded to the Tempo on the night. 

    The Outlook

    With a roster that was already facing adversity from a number of injuries this season, the loss of Sykes feels almost insurmountable. For Tempo fans the concern has gone from yellow to red but the show must go on. 

    Tonight feels like a must win situation for the Toronto Tempo (7-8) as their roadtrip offers them a chance to snap their losing streak against the league-worst Connecticut Sun (2-14). This is their second clash with Connecticut this month, with Toronto stealing an OT win in their last matchup just 9 days ago. However, things change fast in this league and the Tempo will be without their top scorer with Sykes out. 

    Kiki Rice remains out as she recovers from her ankle injury and Nyara Sabally is listed as questionable for tonight’s game. While Julie Allemand did exit the Fever game with a headache, we expect she’ll be back in tonight’s lineup. 

    The question on everyone’s mind – can this team continue to compete with only 9-10 players available on any given night? Stay tuned for some thoughts from your Tempo.basketball crew on who front office management might target if a hardship contract is in the works.