The Toronto Tempo performed beyond expectations this season. And much of that credit should go to Marina Mabrey, who signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract with them in April. She was in great form heading into Tempo’s first game at Scotiabank Arena. The team had named her as a starter in the game against Mercury at Scotiabank Arena, but she was pulled from the lineup right before tip-off, reportedly due to a neck spasm. Kia Nurse replaced her. Madeline Kelly of CBS Sports addressed the growing concern over her status and provided an update on Sunday. 

“Such a bummer for Marina because she went through her game day routine expecting to play and then she got out, started to warm up, and just it didn’t feel right. And so Sandy Broello said that she kind of found out when the rest of us found out. Obviously, she knew a little bit sooner, but it became a reality that the neck issue was something she couldn’t play with, so she ended up being a late scratch.” 

Kelly then provided hopeful news about the guard. 

“I’m told that they don’t expect this to be a long-term concern. Obviously, it was hard for Toronto to make those in-game adjustments and fix the rotation without her when they expected to have her. But she is considered day to day, so they’re hopeful that should be able to play her in the next game.”

Mabrey has been on another level this season. In the previous game against the Sparks, she scored a record-equalling 53 points, the highest in a single match in WNBA history.

She is averaging 21.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 18 games this season. Per Fox Sports, she is fourth in the league in points per game, at 21.2. And she is first in the league in three-pointers made per game, at 3.6. In the three games that Brittney Sykes missed due to injury, Mabrey is averaging 37.7 points, 7.0 three-pointers, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, while having a 73.9 true shooting percentage.

The decision to make the Sykes-Mabrey pairing the highest-paid backcourt in WNBA history has certainly paid off. The jersey no. 3 has been very efficient with the ball. Her TS% for the season is 61.3. Her assist-to-turnover ratio is quite good at 1.20. She is the engine behind the team’s playmaking, having a usage rate of 30.1% and contributing almost a quarter of the team’s assists.

While a 9-10 record is nothing to boast about, we need to remember this is Tempo’s first season in the league. Good offseason moves and roster chemistry have helped them. They can certainly build on it going forward.

Tempo are enjoying good team chemistry

Acquiring Mabrey was a smart choice. Acquiring Brittney Sykes and Nyara Sabally was even smarter. Tempo now has solid options regarding high-volume scoring for the team.

Mabrey and Sykes didn’t need any time to adjust. Their experience and calibre meant that they were flying high right out of the door. Sykes is now averaging 20.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. This is very close to Mabrey’s averages, indicating the duo’s good chemistry.

Their decision to select the sixth pick in the college draft, which automatically granted them the top spot in the second round of the expansion draft and priority on the waiver wire, looks like a smart move. Because this has allowed them to draft a high-upside guard like Kiki Rice.

This has allowed them to fill squad depth issues without sacrificing trade assets. They have had their fair share of injuries. Sykes has been sidelined with a left plantar fascia injury. Rice is dealing with a left ankle sprain.

So it will be interesting to see if the Tempo can hold this chemistry long enough to make a push for a playoff spot. They certainly have the backcourt for it in Mabrey and Sykes.