The Toronto Tempo saw their 2026 WNBA playoff aspirations come to an end on Wednesday night after a 93-82 defeat at the hands of the Washington Mystics. This loss extended Toronto’s losing streak to 12 games and confirmed their elimination in their inaugural season.
Short-Handed Toronto Outmatched on the Glass in Tempo vs Mystics
The Tempo faced significant challenges entering the matchup, missing four key starters due to lower-body injuries: Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, Nyara Sabally, and Maria Conde. Adding to their difficulties, Toronto played the game on the second night of a back-to-back set, following a loss to the Indiana Fever. In contrast, the Mystics were riding a strong eight-game home winning streak.
Washington capitalized on their advantages, controlling the boards with a commanding 43-27 rebound margin, which translated into a 23-7 lead in second-chance points. Kiki Iriafen stood out for the Mystics, delivering a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Shakira Austin also contributed significantly, posting 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite the tough circumstances, Toronto’s rookie Kiki Rice achieved a career-high 19 points, while Aneesah Morrow added 13 points and 8 rebounds. However, a particularly poor second quarter, where the Tempo scored only 9 points—a franchise low for any period—left them with an insurmountable deficit.
With a current record of 10-25, the Tempo occupy the bottom spot in the league standings, and with roughly a month left in the regular season, the team’s focus is shifting away from playoff contention.