Toronto Tempo – Brittney Sykes scored Toronto’s first WNBA basket, but the Tempo fell 68-65 to the Mystics in a dramatic home opener.
A historic first bucket set the tone in Toronto, but a late push wasn’t enough as the Tempo opened their WNBA era with a 68-65 loss to the Washington Mystics.
Brittney Sykes. known as “Slim. ” put Toronto on the map early. scoring the franchise’s first basket from just inside the three-point line.. The moment electrified a packed Coca-Cola Coliseum. with the crowd roaring as Canada’s new basketball chapter began with that shot.. From there. the game turned into a contest of momentum swings. culminating in another burst of noise late as Toronto battled for control.
For a sold-out crowd of 8,210, the night carried significance far beyond the scoreboard.. When Marina Mabrey hit a three with under five minutes remaining to put the Tempo ahead by one and force a Mystics timeout. the atmosphere shifted into full postseason intensity.. Toronto stayed in the mix through the final minute, but Washington ultimately held on.
This matters because Toronto’s entry into the WNBA isn’t just about results yet. It is about building belief in real time, and Misryoum saw that in the way the arena responded to every swing.
The Tempo’s first outing also highlighted areas to sharpen.. Toronto struggled offensively in the first half, with their efficiency lagging as good looks didn’t consistently fall.. Their assist total was limited, and scoring leaned heavily on Sykes and Mabrey.. Turnovers became another storyline. as Toronto committed 16 while forcing Washington into 18. though the Mystics still made more of the opportunities that mattered most.
Mabrey. a key leader for the Tempo’s offense. showed her value from the free-throw line and later found her rhythm beyond the arc.. She finished with 27 points, including three three-pointers, and her run inside the game helped flip pressure back onto Washington.. On the defensive end, Sykes brought intensity, contributing with steals and aggressive play that sent her to the line.
Meanwhile, the tone after the game was clear: there is pride in the history, but the work begins immediately. Misryoum noted that coach Sandy Brondello called the performance “ugly” in places, stressing that the Tempo need to make their offense cleaner and tighten their overall execution.
This matters because the Tempo’s early identity is still forming. How they respond to these rough edges will shape whether Toronto’s home crowds become a consistent advantage, not just a one-night spectacle.
Beyond the headline, the evening also delivered personal milestones and new faces.. Friday featured the first time Sykes and Mabrey shared a WNBA court. while Toronto leaned on players with different pathways into the league. including Canadian rookie Cassandre Prosper.. Kiki Rice also stood out in her own way as the game blended franchise-building with fresh talent and early chemistry questions that will define the next stretch.
At the league level. the debut carried symbolic weight as well. with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in town ahead of the tip and the broader message that Canada would be able to rally behind its team.. For Toronto. the result is a setback. but the opening night moment that matters most was unmistakable: the first basket. the first eruption. and the start of a story Misryoum expects will only grow as the season unfolds.
In the end, the Tempo may have come up short, but they began with something bigger than a scoreline: a franchise debut that proved the country is ready to pay attention.