Nyara Sabally’s Historic Efficiency Leads Tempo Past Sky in High-Scoring Win

The Toronto Tempo continued their promising inaugural WNBA campaign with a 111-104 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night, a win defined by one of the most efficient scoring performances in league history. The result marked another step forward for the expansion franchise, which has quickly established itself as competitive in its debut season.

At the center of the win was Nyara Sabally, who produced a career night and delivered a stat line that placed her in WNBA history. Her scoring efficiency and all-around impact set the tone for Toronto in a tightly contested matchup.

Sabally’s performance came at a crucial time, as the Tempo faced a Chicago team that pushed late and threatened to overturn a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. Toronto’s response down the stretch ultimately separated the teams in the closing minutes.

The victory was also a reflection of the Tempo’s balanced offensive attack, with multiple contributors stepping up alongside Sabally to secure the win and maintain momentum in the standings.

1. Sabally Delivers Historic Efficiency

Sabally finished with a career-high 29 points on 11-of-14 shooting, adding six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in just 28 minutes of action. Her performance combined scoring efficiency with defensive presence on both ends of the floor. She also connected on three of four attempts from beyond the arc, helping Toronto to a total of 12 made three-pointers as a team. Her ability to stretch the floor added another layer to the Tempo’s offensive versatility. With the performance, Sabally became the youngest player in WNBA history to record at least 29 points while shooting 75 percent or better from the field in a single game, underscoring the rarity of her production. Now in her fourth professional season, Sabally continues to build on a career that was previously slowed by injury, including missing the 2023 season due to knee surgery after being selected fifth overall in 2022.

2. Balanced Scoring Fuels Toronto’s Attack

Toronto’s supporting cast played a significant role in the win, with Marina Mabrey adding 24 points and seven assists on 9-of-13 shooting. Her late step-back jumper proved critical in stabilizing the Tempo during Chicago’s fourth-quarter push. Brittney Sykes contributed 20 points, while rookie Kiki Rice added a strong all-around line with 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Their combined efforts ensured Toronto maintained offensive balance throughout the game. Maria Conde also provided a key spark off the bench, scoring 12 points and knocking down three three-pointers to strengthen the team’s perimeter shooting. The collective production allowed Toronto to maintain pressure on Chicago’s defense. The Tempo controlled the tempo early, shooting 58 percent in the first half and taking a 55-48 lead into halftime, with Sabally, Sykes, and Mabrey all reaching double figures before the break.

3. Late Push Secures Expansion Team Win

Toronto opened the third quarter with an 11-4 run to extend its lead to 66-52, briefly taking control of the game’s momentum. However, Chicago responded with a determined push in the fourth quarter to close the gap. The Sky cut the deficit to 98-96 with 3:33 remaining, putting pressure on the Tempo late in the game. Toronto answered with an 8-2 run to close the door on a potential comeback. Mabrey’s jumper pushed the lead back to five before Sabally’s clutch three-pointer extended the advantage to eight with under two minutes remaining. That sequence effectively sealed the victory. Chicago was led by Sydney Taylor’s 27 points, while Skylar Diggins added 23 points and nine assists, and Natasha Cloud contributed 18 points and nine assists in a strong individual effort despite the loss.