In just their second-ever WNBA home game as an expansion franchise, the Toronto Tempo will host the Seattle Storm on Wednesday night.
The Tempo (0-1) narrowly lost their home opener last Friday, falling by three points to the Washington Mystics. The loss came despite an impressive effort from the Tempo’s highest-paid player, Marina Mabrey, who totaled 27 points, seven rebounds and two assists in her debut with her new team.
Mabrey, previously with the Connecticut Sun, was taken by the Tempo with the sixth overall pick in the joint expansion draft with Toronto’s fellow first-year franchise, the Portland Fire. The Notre Dame product agreed to a two-year contract with an annual salary of $1.2 million with the Tempo.
Before becoming a full-time starter with the Sun last season, Mabrey was regarded as one of the best bench players in the WNBA, garnering votes in Sixth Player of the Year balloting in 2021 (Dallas) and 2024 (Connecticut). She also led the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league in scoring this past winter with 25.3 points per game.
“I want to win really bad,” Mabrey said after the loss to the Mystics. “I know if I can bring that kind of energy, it can be contagious for everyone.”
While Mabrey shined, only one other Toronto player scored in double figures vs. Washington as Brittney Sykes tallied 14 points. Also hurting the Tempo’s chances at a win were 16 turnovers and nine missed free throws.
“We just got to get back to being a selfless basketball team and making our defense create our offense,” Tempo coach Sandy Brondello said.
The Storm are 1-1 so far this season and figuring out their new identity under first-year coach Sonia Raman. Seattle opened the year with a loss to the Golden State Valkyries but bounced back with an 89-82 road win at Connecticut on Sunday.
Lexie Brown scored 17 points (5-of-6 from 3-point range) off the bench for the Storm, but the headlining performance was from Flau’Jae Johnson, the LSU star the Storm traded for on draft night. Johnson had 16 points, six rebounds, three steals, an assist and a block in a do-it-all effort for Seattle.
“Flau’jae is a really dynamic, talented young player who’s going to just impact on both ends of the court. She can score multiple ways. She’s a great defender,” Storm general manager Talisa Rhea said recently. “We’re really excited with how she aligns and helps us this year but also is going to be a really important piece for us as we’re building for the future.”
Through two games, three players — Johnson, Jade Melbourne and Dominique Malonga — are all averaging at least 13.5 points per game.
–Field Level Media
