In their debut WNBA regular-season game, the Toronto Tempo almost had a storybook ending, with Marina Mabrey leading the way by sinking two crucial free throws to briefly put them ahead of the Washington Mystics. Despite the thrilling moment, the Mystics managed to secure a narrow 68-65 victory after Shakira Austin’s clutch free throws sealed the win in the final seconds.
Reflecting on the game, Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello expressed disappointment in not closing out the game but praised the enthusiastic support from the fans. Despite the loss, Brondello remains optimistic about the team’s future performances.
The game saw standout performances from Mystics’ Austin and Kiki Iriafen, both achieving double-doubles. Mabrey shined for the Tempo, leading all scorers with 27 points and making her mark after being selected in the expansion draft earlier.
The historic night included Brittney Sykes scoring the first basket in franchise history, setting the tone for the sold-out crowd at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Despite the defeat, the game was a success in terms of sales and marketing, with the venue packed and a strong presence of Canadian sports stars in attendance.
Looking ahead, Brondello acknowledged the need to fine-tune the team’s strategies, especially in critical moments like the end of the game. Despite the initial challenges faced by an expansion team, she remains confident that with time and practice, the Tempo will improve their execution on the court.
The overwhelming support and attendance at the game underscored the potential of the Toronto Tempo to inspire young athletes and fans across Canada, with prominent figures like Christine Sinclair and Andre de Grasse showing their support for the new WNBA franchise. As the Tempo aims to leave a lasting impact on the community, the future looks promising for women’s basketball in Canada.