Kiki Rice’s Wednesday night against the New York Liberty ended early when she landed awkwardly after Jonquel Jones blocked her shot, and the Toronto Tempo rookie limped to the locker room. Coach Sandy Brondello said there was no update, after multiple reports
For the Toronto Tempo, Wednesday’s game against the New York Liberty turned at 1:35 in the fourth quarter, when rookie guard Kiki Rice tried to push downhill and crashed into a defensive wall.
With 1:35 remaining in regulation, Rice dribbled toward the basket and went up for a layup. Jonquel Jones swatted the attempt before it reached the rim. Rice landed awkwardly, grimacing immediately as she appeared to tweak her left ankle.
She stayed on the court for several moments, holding her left lower leg and grimacing in pain. She was eventually helped to her feet, and the rookie limped toward the locker room with the help of a Tempo staffer.
“No update on Kiki. Hopefully, she’s been OK,” Toronto head coach Sandy Brondello said postgame. “She’s a tough kid, but yeah, it’s unfortunate.”
Multiple reports noted Rice was seen using crutches after the Tempo’s 97-82 loss to New York. Rice played 23 minutes and finished with nine points, five rebounds and two assists.
The injury is a fresh concern for a player who has been a consistent presence early in her league run. Rice has started seven of Toronto’s ten games. Over those matchups, she is averaging 12.7 points on 53% shooting, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and one steal per game.
Her season has already come with a big-league spotlight. Rice is coming off a championship run with the UCLA Bruins. and her path to the Tempo began with a six-year twist of timing: in April. UCLA cruised to a 79-51 win over South Carolina to win the program’s first championship in history. Rice closed that title game with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.
In Toronto, the immediate question now is simple: what the ankle will allow next—because the Tempo was still building around its newest piece when the game against the Liberty took that sudden, painful turn.
WNBA Toronto Tempo New York Liberty Kiki Rice Paige Bueckers Jonquel Jones ankle injury Sandy Brondello 2026 WNBA Draft UCLA Bruins