The Toronto Tempo rolled into Vancouver on a brutal 12-game losing streak, now sitting 15 games under .500 and officially out of playoff contention. You’d think their expansion opponent on Friday night, the Portland Fire, holding a respectable No. 9 spot and just five games under .500, would be the clear “winners” of the 2026 expansion class, right? Not so fast. While the Tempo’s postseason ambitions evaporated, their rough ride actually sets them up for something far bigger.
Mabrey’s Magic and Sykes’s Stunning Setback
I was straight-up skeptical about the Tempo dropping serious cash on their million-dollar backcourt, Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes. I thought they overspent on two players who had been inconsistent offensive options. Boy, did Marina and Slim prove me wrong! Mabrey became the perfect star for Canada’s first WNBA team, pulling off the most memorable single-game performance of 2026 with a record-tying 53 points. She was a surefire All-Star, no doubt. Sykes, too, was on track to join Mabrey in Chicago before a brutal foot injury robbed her of a second-straight All-Star nod. Missing 18 games, Sykes’s injury was the absolute pivot point for Toronto. They were one game under .500 with Slim on the court, then completely tanked as accumulating injuries piled up. Sykes just returned two games ago, but the damage was done.
Proof of Concept and the Lottery Gold Rush
Even with the season crumbling around them, that Mabrey-Sykes backcourt, plus rookie Kiki Rice, provided a clear proof of concept for Toronto. Yeah, it’s not the best in the league, but it’s totally good enough, with better health and a stronger supporting cast, to be the foundation for a genuine playoff contender. Imagine if Sykes had stayed healthy! We could have seen the Tempo hanging right on the edges of the playoff race, maybe even making a more aggressive frontcourt upgrade at the trade deadline. Now, that roster refurbishment just moves to the offseason. And get this: thanks to their recent loss and a Sky win, Toronto now holds the second-best odds, 24%, for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft lottery. Chicago dropped to third at 16%, with the Connecticut Sun also winning.
So while the Toronto Tempo is limping into Vancouver tonight to face the Portland Fire at 10 p.m. ET on ION, don’t sleep on what this seemingly disastrous season truly means. They’re playing for pride, sure, but they’re also playing for that lottery position. If the lottery gods smile on them, a healthy Mabrey and Sykes, plus a No. 1 pick, could make the Tempo genuinely dangerous next season. This isn’t just a losing streak; it’s a strategic retreat for a major leap forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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