The Toronto Tempo's promising inaugural WNBA season has taken a difficult turn with the announcement that two key players will be sidelined long-term. Scoring leader Brittney Sykes and standout rookie Kiki Rice are both expected to miss significant time due to injuries, the team confirmed Friday.
Injury Details
Sykes, who ranks fifth in the WNBA with an average of 20.1 points per game and is second on the Tempo in several statistical categories, suffered a plantar fascia injury on June 16, according to the team. Rice, the first draft pick in franchise history—selected sixth overall after winning the NCAA title with UCLA—is tied for second among rookies in scoring. She has been out since June 3 with a Grade 3 ankle sprain, the most severe classification on a scale of 1 to 3.
Impact on the Team
The expansion Tempo surprised many by starting the season 7-5, but they have since dropped three consecutive games. Without Sykes and Rice, the team faces an uphill battle. Sykes was on track for her second WNBA All-Star selection, while Rice had emerged as an instant impact player, showing star potential early in her professional career.
The organization stated that both players will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks and are expected to return at some point this season, with roughly two-thirds of the schedule remaining. However, the timeline remains uncertain. Plantar fasciitis can be a lingering issue, as demonstrated by Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley, who missed much of last season and the playoffs due to a similar injury that contributed to a subsequent setback. Rice's Grade 3 sprain is considered a more serious concern.
Adjusting the Roster
With Sykes and Rice out, the Tempo will rely heavily on leader Marina Mabrey, as well as Maria Conde and forwards Nyara Sabally (who has also missed the last three games) and Laura Jaskiatis. Canadian veteran Kia Nurse and Julie Allemand, who left a recent loss to Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever early due to a severe headache, could see increased playing time.
The Tempo are scheduled to play Friday night at Connecticut. The team will need to dig deep to stay competitive in their debut season.
