Sykes and Mabrey Make WNBA History as Tempo Upset Mercury 98–90

The Toronto Tempo continued a promising start to their expansion season with a 98–90 road victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night, earning their third win in five games. The result at Mortgage Matchup Center marked another statement performance for a franchise still establishing its identity in the WNBA landscape.

Veteran guards Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey powered the Tempo’s offense, combining for an overwhelming majority of the team’s scoring output. Their ability to generate points in isolation and from beyond the arc proved decisive in a tightly contested matchup.

The game remained close through three quarters before Toronto took control early in the fourth, opening the period with a decisive run that shifted momentum permanently in their favor. Phoenix attempted to respond but was unable to fully recover from the surge.

The win improved Toronto to 3–2 on the season and highlighted the growing influence of its veteran-led backcourt in shaping early results for the expansion team.

1. Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals The Win

The turning point came immediately after the start of the final quarter, when the Tempo executed a 12–4 run that created separation in a game that had largely been played within a narrow margin. That stretch forced Phoenix into a more aggressive offensive approach that ultimately proved inefficient. Toronto’s ball movement and shot creation improved noticeably during that run, with Sykes frequently attacking mismatches and collapsing the defense. Mabrey complemented that aggression with timely perimeter shooting that stretched Phoenix’s defensive coverage. The Mercury attempted to respond with scoring runs of their own, but each push was met with either a key defensive stop or a timely basket from Toronto. The Tempo’s composure in late-game situations proved critical. By the final minutes, the game had shifted firmly in Toronto’s control, allowing them to close out a significant early-season road win.

2. Historic Performances From Sykes And Mabrey

The standout performances came from Brittney Sykes, who finished with 31 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and Marina Mabrey, who added 30 points, including six three-pointers, along with five rebounds and three assists. According to ESPN Insights, the duo became the first teammates in WNBA history to each score at least 30 points in the same game during a franchise’s inaugural season, underscoring the rarity of their combined performance. Sykes entered the game riding strong momentum after a 38-point outing against the Los Angeles Sparks, continuing a recent stretch of high-volume scoring and playmaking responsibility. Mabrey, meanwhile, followed up a quieter performance in her previous game with one of her most efficient scoring nights of the young season, showcasing her ability to rebound quickly in an expanded offensive role.

3. Veteran Leadership In An Expansion Setting

Both Sykes and Mabrey have assumed central leadership roles for the Tempo as the franchise navigates the challenges of an expansion season. Their responsibilities extend beyond scoring, including organizing the offense and stabilizing younger rotations. Brittney Sykes has emerged as a key two-way presence, leading Toronto in points, assists, and steals while providing steady production across multiple statistical categories. Her experience has been essential in setting the tone for a new roster. Marina Mabrey, acquired in the expansion draft, has also taken on a larger offensive workload than in previous seasons, stepping into a featured scoring role while maintaining her ability to facilitate. For an expansion team still building chemistry, the duo’s ability to shoulder responsibility on both ends of the floor has provided early stability, even as the learning curve of roster construction and cohesion continues.