History was made north of the border this week as the Toronto Tempo secured their first-ever WNBA victory, and it was a pair of familiar faces leading the charge. The Tempo's 86-73 win over the Seattle Storm was a statement game for an expansion team still finding its identity—and for Brittney Sykes, it was a showcase of just how much she brings to the court.
When Toronto built its inaugural roster, the front office made it clear that guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes were the cornerstones of the franchise, signing both to multi-year free agent deals. That investment paid off in a big way against Seattle. Mabrey lit up the scoreboard with a game-high 26 points, while Sykes—a product of Syracuse's Orange program—filled the stat sheet with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a team-high 32 minutes of action.
It's early in the season, but Sykes is already playing some of the best basketball of her career. Through two games, she's averaging above her career marks in points, rebounds, and assists. For a player who has long been known as a defensive stopper, this is a golden opportunity to show off her complete game. Yes, being on an expansion team comes with its growing pains, but it also means more minutes, more responsibility, and more chances to shine.
And here's a fun bit of trivia: Sykes will forever be remembered as the player who scored the first points in Tempo history. That's the kind of legacy moment that transcends any single game.
The Tempo are back in action tonight in Los Angeles, and we'll be tracking Sykes and the team all season long. For now, Toronto fans can celebrate a milestone win—and the dynamic duo that made it happen.
