Sandy Brondello Praises Nyara Sabally’s Breakout Night in Tempo Win Over Sky

The Toronto Tempo continued their promising start to their inaugural WNBA season with a hard-fought 111-104 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night. The win marked their fourth of the year and helped the expansion franchise return to a .500 record at 4-4.

A central figure in the victory was forward Nyara Sabally, who produced the most complete performance of her young WNBA career. She scored a career-high 29 points while also contributing across the board in a balanced two-way effort.

Sabally’s efficiency stood out as much as her volume, as she finished 11-of-14 from the field and knocked down three of five attempts from beyond the arc. Her impact extended beyond scoring, as she added six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 28 minutes of play.

The Tempo closed the game with an 8-2 run in the final minutes, securing the win and reinforcing their early-season identity as a competitive and rapidly improving team.

1. Career Night Highlights Two-Way Impact

Sabally’s breakout performance was defined by her ability to influence the game on both ends of the floor. Her scoring efficiency allowed Toronto to maintain offensive rhythm throughout the contest, while her defensive contributions helped stabilize key possessions. Her presence was especially valuable during critical stretches in the second half, where the Tempo needed consistent production to counter Chicago’s scoring runs. Sabally responded with timely baskets and defensive stops that shifted momentum. The performance also highlighted her growing comfort within Toronto’s system, where she has been given a larger and more consistent role than in previous seasons. That expanded responsibility has allowed her to showcase the skill set that made her a high draft pick. For the Tempo, her emergence adds another reliable option in a rotation still taking shape during the franchise’s first season.

2. Brondello Sees Long-Awaited Potential

Following the game, head coach Sandy Brondello offered strong praise for Sabally, emphasizing both her talent and resilience. She described the forward’s acquisition as an obvious decision when the opportunity arose. Brondello noted that Sabally’s career had previously been impacted more by injuries than by limitations in ability. The coach pointed back to her time in New York, where Sabally showed promise but struggled to maintain consistency due to health setbacks. The decision to select her in the expansion draft was framed as a calculated move to unlock that potential in a new environment. Brondello expressed confidence that Toronto had provided the right setting for her to finally thrive. Her comments reflected a broader belief within the organization that Sabally’s ceiling had always been higher than her early career production suggested.

3. Fresh Start Fuels Early Season Growth

Sabally entered the WNBA as the fifth overall pick in the 2022 draft by the New York Liberty, but her role there was limited behind established stars. She averaged 3.9 points in 12.1 minutes per game, often playing in a supporting capacity. Her move to Toronto has provided a clearer pathway for development, and early returns have been strong. In her first five games with the Tempo, she has posted career highs across multiple categories, including scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks. Brondello emphasized that her growth has been driven by both health and confidence, two factors that had previously been inconsistent during her early career. The coaching staff has credited her work ethic and adaptability for her rapid adjustment. With Toronto sitting at 4-4 and continuing to build chemistry, Sabally’s emergence has become one of the most encouraging developments of the franchise’s inaugural season.