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  • Tempo vs Storm Game Report – August 26, 2026

    Tempo vs Storm Game Report – August 26, 2026

    Down four key players and on the road, the Toronto Tempo had one of their ugliest offensive games of the season and fell to the Seattle Storm 90 – 78. 

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

    The Good

    With Brittney Sykes, Marina Mabrey, Nyara Sabally, and Aneesah Morrow all out with injuries, Tempo fans were treated to seeing what a Tempo team led by Kiki Rice could look like. While she started off slow, Rice showed off her bag and exploded for 10 points in the second quarter. In addition to putting on a show with her strength and footwork during her drives to the basket, Rice also hit a big 3 and got to the line. At one point, Rice finished over three Storm defenders for a layup. 

    Rice finished the night with a career-high 24 points and shot an efficient 6 of 12 from the field.

    With the Tempo already eliminated from playoff consideration, the focus will be on the future for these remaining games. If tonight’s game was any indication, Rice already has the ability to create her own shot, undying hustle, and energetic defense. The sky is the limit for her.

    We also have to give a shout out to Isabelle Harrison. Over the entire game, Izzy stayed aggressive and looked for her shot when others were more timid. In the first half, Izzy’s combination of pick-and-roll and low post game found success. She also made a concerted effort to crash the glass which gave the Tempo life and energy when the game was still within reach.

    Unfortunately, the Seattle bigs improved on their defensive paint presence and Izzy did not find the same success in the second half, but it was nonetheless a good effort from Izzy. 

    The Bad

    Admittedly, besides some highlight-worthy plays from Rice and Izzy, this was an ugly offensive game from the Tempo. Overall, they only shot 37% from the field and 15% from the 3-point line. Although the Storm didn’t shoot the ball well either early on but the difference came as the game went along. The Storm played more cohesive and knew what butters and what doesn’t butter their offensive bread. 

    The Tempo, on the other hand, got into trouble when individual players were too impatient, or tried to make heroic plays on their own. On numerous times, this led to turnovers and easy Storm transition points. The Tempo also got into trouble when their offense stagnated and they settled for contested three-point shots.

    Tonight, the Tempo’s bench was noticeably shaky. Every time the Tempo ran a bench lineup of Teonni Key, Kia Nurse, Ornella Bankole, and Kiana Williams with one of our starters, the Tempo immediately lost momentum and the Storm would regain control of the game. Meanwhile, the Storm’s bench contributed 30 points compared to the Tempo bench’s 11 points. 

    With the Tempo’s ongoing injuries, we probably should have seen this coming. Williams, as an example, was only signed one day before this game and this was the first time this lineup has played together. It is just another example of the Tempo’s injury-plague season continuing to haunt this team. 

    Outlook

    With only six games left on the schedule, it is hard not to think about next season and, more importantly, the odds for the upcoming WNBA draft lottery. The Tempo currently have the second best lottery odds to land the number one pick in the draft who will undoubtedly be Juju Watkins – an absolutely generational talent who can change a franchise’s future. Even if the Tempo do not land the number one pick, the other two players slated to be selected next are Madison Booker and Hannah Hidalgo who would also be big gets for this Tempo team.

    With Sykes and Morrow being out for the season and no signs of Mabrey and Sabally returning anytime soon, Tempo fans might not have to decide whether they should cheer for the Tempo to tank or not. If the Tempo can’t beat last-place Seattle, this team may just have sealed its fate. The opportunity to add a Juju Watkins to this team, however, gives us hope for the future.  

    In the meantime, the Tempo will travel to Las Vegas to play the Aces. A win is unlikely, but it’s still worthwhile watching players like Kiki Rice get ample opportunities to showcase their talents, while other players, such as Teonni Key, will have opportunities to show us something more from their game. 

  • Tempo vs Aces Game Report – August 23, 2026

    Tempo vs Aces Game Report – August 23, 2026

    In a hard-fought battle, the Toronto Tempo fell 88-78 to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Sunday night. 

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

    The Good

    Go Canada Go! 

    Vancouver understood the assignment for the second stop of the Tempo’s Cross-Canada Series. A crowd of 15,877 filled the arena to watch Toronto take on the defending champion Aces. And on a night where fans might have braced for a blowout – given a depleted roster facing an elite opponent – the Tempo delivered another relentless effort from start to finish.

    Entering with just eight active players, Toronto needed someone to step up off the bench, and a fan favourite delivered. Kia Nurse showed once again that she shines brightest in the spotlight. Checking in early in the first quarter, “The Hamilton Hammer” went to work scoring from all levels and knocking down 4-of-7 from deep on her way to 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. 

    Kiki Rice stacked another impressive performance, logging 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Night after night, she demonstrates remarkable poise for such a young guard. Her steady control, ability to create her own shot or drive downhill for tough finishes remain vital for this squad. Rice continues to serve as a reassuring reminder of the franchise’s strong foundation. 

    We also have to give a shout out to two other Tempo players for their impact on this game.

    Temi Fágbénlé came out firing with the first two buckets of the game and looked confident taking on A’ja Wilson and NaLyssa Smith inside. Temi is playing her best basketball of the season at at time when Toronto needs it most.

    Ornella Bankole also provided a massive spark. While her impact doesn’t fully show on the box score, her defensive pride was unmissable. Bankole picked up full-court to disrupt the Aces’ rhythm, she crashed the glass and fought until the finish, capping her night with a late steal and transition layup. 

    The Bad

    With an already thin rotation, the Tempo took another blow when starting point guard Julie Allemand left midway through the game with a head injury and did not return.  It’s hard to believe the bad luck the Tempo have had this season yet they’ve still given Canada an inaugural season to be proud of.

    This game followed a familiar script to what we’ve seen before. A valiant fight from a weathered Tempo squad that left its heart on the floor and managed to keep the game within reach all the way to the final horn. However, offensive execution stalled under pressure, leading to 15 turnovers (compared to 10 for Las Vegas). Laura Juškaitė accounted for 7 of those giveaways – likely a byproduct of heavy minutes and shifting positional roles to plug gaps each night.  Still, ball security and valuing each possession remains a critical focus for Toronto in close contests. 

    The Tempo also need more consistent production from Teonni Key. While she has shown flashes of dynamic play, putting together complete, back-to-back performances remains the next step in her development. 

    With Toronto’s top three scorers (Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes and Nyara Sabally) sidelined, scoring required a committee effort. They managed to do that with five players scoring double digits on the night – Nurse (19), Rice (14), Fagbenle (13), Harrison (12) and Juskaite (11). Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough horsepower to overcome the talents of the Aces and four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who dominated with 27 points in 30 minutes, alongside Jackie Young’s 21 points and 5 assists. 

    (Off the court: Wilson had glowing praise for Vancouver post-game, highlighting the local food scene and waterfront views.)

    The Outlook

    The West Coast road trip continues as the Tempo head south to face the Seattle Storm on Wednesday, August 26. It’s a prime opportunity to build momentum against a last-place Storm squad (7-31).

    Toronto has controlled the season series so far, claiming decisive 21- and 13-point victoria over Seattle – include the franchise’s inaugural victory back on May 13. Though short-handed, historical success against Seattle should give Toronto a welcome confidence boost.

    Following Wednesday’s tilt, the Tempo carry on to Las Vegas for a quick rematch with the Aces before the WNBA FIBA International Break (August 31-September 16). The upcoming two-week pause arrives at an ideal team for a roster eager to rest, recover, and gear up for the final stretch of their inaugural season.

  • Tempo vs Fever Game Report – August 18, 2026

    Tempo vs Fever Game Report – August 18, 2026

    Inside a sold-out Scotiabank arena, the Toronto Tempo fought hard and had chances but ultimately were unable to upset the red-hot Indiana Fever, losing 101 – 95. 

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

    The Good

    The lead-up to this game was full of hype as 19,300 showed up and showed out at a sold-out Scotiabank Arena and we received announcements that the game would feature the unveiling of the Tempo’s mascot mascots (welcome Dez and Dot!), and the return of Brittney ‘Slim’ Sykes. 

    And, it did not take long for Slim to make an impact on this game. Despite being out for over two months, Slim quickly showcased the same speed and nimbleness on her drives, and reminded everyone why she is integral to this team’s success. While she may not have had her most efficient game, this is typical for players coming back from injury (recall that Kiki also didn’t shoot the ball successfully on her first game back). What Slim did do was contribute 15 points by driving, getting to the line, and hitting a few jumpers along the way. This contribution has been sorely missed. Welcome back Slim!

    We also have to give a big shout out to the Tempo’s bench, including Aneesah Morrow and Temi Fágbénlé. By the second quarter, it became apparent that this game was going to be a shootout and played at a phrenetic pace. Against the leagues’ top offensive team, the Tempo needed all the offensive production they could muster and these two stepped up huge.

    At one point in the 3rd quarter, Aneesah Morrow grabbed three offensive rebounds, leading to one Kia Nurse three and a putback with an and-one – all within the span of a minute. She ended the game with 14 points and 16 rebounds, of which seven were offensive rebounds. Simply huge.

    Meanwhile, Temi went three for three from the 3-point line and contributed 13 points. Even more importantly, she moved with more agility on defense than past games. There were numerous plays where our perimeter defenders were beat on the dribble, but were helped by Temi to protect the rim and caused the Fever players to miss their shots. 

    Finally, we have to give the biggest shout out to the Tempo fans. As it has been a trend all season long, the Tempo fans continue to turn heads around the league for showing up and showing out for the Tempo. Both Caitlin Clark and Holly Rowe were very complimentary about the fanbase, the city, and the electric atmosphere within the arena. We couldn’t be more excited by how normal it already feels to have the Tempo be part of the city and country!

    The Bad

    For Canadian fans who have been itching to see Eastern Conference player of the week, Caitlin Clark, alongside Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and the Indiana Fever, you got your money’s worth. The Fever’s big 3 shone brightly tonight, especially Kelsey Mitchell. 

    Simply put, Mitchell was unstoppable. She delivered a masterclass in showcasing her talent. We were dazzled by the speed at which she was able to drive to the basket, paired with her ability to change angles on a dime and finishing at the rim. She also shot the ball from anywhere effortlessly and finished the game with 29 points on an efficient 11 of 16 shooting. Had she not left the game in the fourth quarter, we imagine that the score would not have been as close.

    Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark seemed to have a responding 3-pointer for every 3-pointer the Tempo were able to make and her footwork on the perimeter to get open for 3 despite multiple defenders is elite (though we have to shout out the Tempo defenders for turning her over seven times!). To round out the big 3, Aliyah Boston ruled the paint. Her strength and footwork in the low post put the Tempo defenders on their heels all night long. 

    On the Tempo side, the strategy was clear. The Fever are last in the league in allowing points in the paint, so the Tempo made a more concerted effort to attack inside. Unfortunately, they were largely unsuccessful with that strategy. Not getting calls from the referees certainly did not help, nor does the fact that the Tempo are second-last in the league in scoring in the paint. This will be an area to address in the off-season. 

    Moreover, any attempt at a comeback upset against one of the top teams in the league would’ve required the Tempo to capitalize on all the opportunities they received and they ultimately did not in the fourth quarter. We counted two missed free throws down the stretch, a turnover after the Tempo were gifted an 8-second turnover by Clark, and another turnover by Marina Mabrey with 12 seconds left. Without those errors, the game would have been even closer. 

    The Outlook

    The Tempo now travel to Washington to play the Mystics on the second night of a tough back-to-back. Washington has played exceptional ball this season and has had Toronto’s number, winning all three of their matchups.

    While the first two games were close, including one game decided by a Sonia Citron buzzer beater, the last game played was not close. In these games, the Mystics have been able to use their gigantic and extremely skilled frontcourt to out-rebound and out-muscle the Tempo in the paint. The Mystics defenders also play very physical defense on Marina Mabrey in an effort to not let her get going offensively.

    Despite tired legs, the Tempo are going to need their entire team to muster up all the energy they can on both ends of the floor if they are going to have a chance at upsetting the Mystics. 

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  • Tempo vs. Atlanta Dream Game Report — August 10, 2026

    Tempo vs. Atlanta Dream Game Report — August 10, 2026

    In a high-scoring affair, the Toronto Tempo suffered their ninth consecutive loss, dropping a 107–95 decision to the Atlanta Dream on Monday night. The Dream were firing on all cylinders, placing all five starters in double figures and shooting the lights out from beyond the arc. On the other side, Marina Mabrey put on an absolute offensive clinic for Toronto, pouring in a game-high 36 points.

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

    The Good

    Despite the increasingly growing loss column, Toronto showed legitimate signs of life and identity-building in Atlanta.

    From the opening tip, “Money” Mabrey was all business. She set the tone immediately, burying a deep three to open the scoring and adding two more daggers from distance all in the first quarter. It was a classic bounce-back performance for Mabrey after being held to just nine points last time out against the Portland Fire. Finishing with 36 points on 7-for-13 shooting from downtown, Mabrey practically staged a one-woman show for the Atlanta crowd. While her hot shooting always turns heads, it was her shot creation and elite offensive maturity that has cemented her status as a top-tier scorer this season.

    This game also offered our first look at a nearly healthy Tempo squad, with Brittney Sykes as the sole scratch. Head coach Sandy Brondello continued to experiment with line rotations and by the fourth quarter, an intriguing frontcourt trio started taking shape in Nyara Sabally, Isabelle Harrison, and Aneesah Morrow.

    Sabally made her mark on both ends of the court with a commanding double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds), while Harrison (13 pts) and Morrow (11 pts) provided an additional interior punch.

    If these three can build consistency and learn to share the work down low, Toronto has a formidable frontcourt foundation moving forward.

    Finally, Kiki Rice provided another loud reminder of why she’s the future of this franchise. With Toronto desperately searching for floor leadership, the rookie guard stepped up as a steadying force. Showing off elite grit, pacing, and scoring versatility, Rice stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.

    The Bad

    Brondello and her staff might be heading back to the drawing board with the starting unit after this one. Toronto’s international contingent went cold, as Laura Juškaitė, María Conde, Temi Fágbénlé, and Julie Allemand combined for just 5 points while struggling to make a defensive imprint. Woof.

    For the Tempo, large stretches of this contest felt like a replay of the same flaws that have haunted them all season. Slow defensive rotations, missed box-outs, and a general lack of bite on the defensive end allowed Atlanta to build a massive 25-point cushion.

    To Toronto’s credit, they refused to roll over. Play by play, they chipped away at the deficit to turn a potential blowout into a competitive fight down the stretch. You have to respect their fight and willingness to dig in when things aren’t going their way.

    Offensively, Toronto proved they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s hottest teams, shooting virtually even with the Dream from the floor. The key divide came on the glass: second-chance opportunities repeatedly gifted Atlanta extra possessions, and the Dream capitalized every time. Until Toronto cleans up the defensive glass, the final score will keep telling the same story.

    The Outlook

    The Tempo now head to Dallas seeking to avoid a double-digit losing streak in their road trip finale against the Wings. These two teams matched up twice in July with the Wings taking both games decisively. Dallas is aiming to end their 3-game slide as well and are looking to put the nail in the coffin on any fumes of playoff hopes left for Toronto who trail Dallas by 8.5 games in the standings.

    On the injury front, Brittany Sykes remains sidelined, though she teased fans on Instagram with a post stating “the band is almost back together.” However, the training room door remains busy with Julie Allemand (thigh) and María Conde (calf) both ruled out, shrinking Toronto’s rotation once again.

    Fun (or painful) Fact: Toronto now ranks second in the league in total player games lost to injury. A stat that cleanly sums up the frustration of this 2026 campaign.

    To provide reinforcement, Toronto signed guard Zaay Green to a hardship/development contract (be sure to check out our pre-game scouting report on Green!). With Allemand and Conde out, the starting lineup will have a new look and a fresh opportunity for the Tempo to find their rhythm. 

  • Who is Zaay Green, the newest Toronto Tempo player?

    Who is Zaay Green, the newest Toronto Tempo player?

    The Toronto Tempo announced that they have signed Zaay (pronounced Z”eh”) Green to a developmental contract. 

    Green is a 26-year old 6’2” shooting guard/small forward. She was selected 32nd overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2025 WNBA draft but has yet to appear in a WNBA game. Since then, Green has played for teams such as Kibirkštis Vilnius in Lithuania, Adelitas in Mexico, and AEL in Cyprus. Across this stretch, Green has averaged 12.4 points, 5.5 boards, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

    When looking at Green’s game, it’s clear that she can score the ball in a variety of ways. She likes to operate off pick-and-roll screens, get into the midrange then use her exceptional footwork and a medley of fakes, hesitation dribbles, and turnarounds to create space and pull up for a mid-range jumpshot. 

    Green is also a slasher and can finish at the rim with speed and strength. 

    Using that same speed, Green further excels in transition. Furthermore, Green has really good length and strength for a guard. 

    There are flashes of Brittney Sykes and sprinkles of Maria Conde in her game.

    It is uncertain whether Zaay Green will help to solve the Tempo’s areas of weaknesses but she certainly fits in with our areas of strength. Welcome Zaay!