The Toronto Tempo snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday with a dramatic 93-91 victory over the New York Liberty, but the game’s most talked-about moment came from an unusual sequence involving a shoe in the closing minutes.
During New York’s frantic comeback attempt at the Bell Centre, Liberty forward Jonquel Jones lost a shoe on the court. In an unexpected turn, teammate Betnijah Laney-Hamilton picked it up and threw it toward the other end of the floor, with the shoe striking Toronto guard Marina Mabrey in the back.
Officials immediately reviewed the situation, ultimately ejecting Laney-Hamilton from the contest. The incident capped an already heated matchup that featured several physical confrontations and multiple technical fouls between the two teams.
After the game, Mabrey downplayed the unusual play while emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure. Her calm reaction came after another outstanding offensive performance that helped Toronto secure one of its biggest victories of the season.
1. Strange Ending Overshadows Tight Finish
The contest had already been highly competitive before the bizarre sequence unfolded late in the fourth quarter. Physical defense and emotional exchanges between both teams had steadily increased as the game progressed.
Earlier in the matchup, Laney-Hamilton was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul after making contact with Mabrey’s face. The two players later exchanged words during the third quarter, leading officials to issue double technical fouls in an effort to keep the game under control.
The tension reached another level in the final minutes when Jones lost her shoe during New York’s comeback effort. Laney-Hamilton picked up the loose sneaker and threw it down the floor, accidentally hitting Mabrey from behind.
Following the review, Laney-Hamilton was ejected. Mabrey later said she did not believe the act was intentional but acknowledged that emotional games require players to remain disciplined. She summed up her approach by saying she has been “working on not being rage-baited,” choosing not to escalate the situation further.
2. Mabrey Delivers Another Offensive Masterclass
While the unusual incident generated headlines, Mabrey’s performance was equally deserving of attention. The veteran guard once again carried Toronto offensively, finishing with a game-high 30 points.
It marked her second consecutive 30-point outing and the fifth time this season she reached the milestone, continuing what has been one of the strongest scoring stretches of her campaign.
Toronto desperately needed that production after entering Sunday’s game on a four-game losing streak. Mabrey answered the challenge by taking control during the closing minutes, scoring eight of the Tempo’s final 10 points as the Liberty erased a significant deficit.
Her leadership proved especially valuable after New York stormed back from a 20-point hole. Rather than allowing momentum to completely swing away, Mabrey consistently delivered timely baskets that kept Toronto in front when the pressure was at its highest.
3. Tempo Ends Skid Despite Liberty Rally
For much of the afternoon, the Tempo appeared headed toward a comfortable victory. Toronto built a commanding 74-54 lead late in the third quarter by executing efficiently on both ends of the floor.
The defending Liberty, however, refused to fade quietly. A 16-4 run quickly cut the margin to four points, with Sabrina Ionescu leading the charge by scoring 28 points while Breanna Stewart added 22 in another impressive all-around performance.
Stewart eventually tied the contest at 91 with just 1:30 remaining, completing New York’s remarkable comeback attempt and putting enormous pressure on the expansion franchise.
Toronto responded with poise. Nyara Sabally converted the game-winning basket with 52 seconds left, while the Tempo held firm defensively during the closing possessions to secure the 93-91 victory. The win lifted Toronto to 10-13 on the season, ended its longest losing streak of the year, and provided renewed confidence before the teams meet again on Sept. 20 in Toronto.