Toronto Tempo Set WNBA Free Throw Record in Dominant Win

The Toronto Tempo carved out a piece of WNBA history on Saturday, May 30, 2026, by hitting their first 31 free throw attempts in a commanding 93-72 home victory against the Seattle Storm. The record-setting performance at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, underscored the Tempo's growing competitive strength in their inaugural season.

The game wasn't a runaway from the start. Seattle, a seasoned WNBA franchise, battled back from an 11-point first-half deficit, even outscoring Toronto 23-16 in the second quarter to narrow the lead to a single point by halftime. The score was tied at 51-all with just under four minutes remaining in the third period after Seattle's Katie Lou Samuelson connected on a short turn-around jumper. However, the Tempo responded with a decisive 19-5 run to close out the third quarter, establishing a 70-56 lead that the Storm ultimately could not overcome.

The Tempo's record-breaking free-throw streak, a testament to their composure under pressure, finally ended when Teonni Key missed back-to-back foul shots with 58 seconds left in the game. Toronto finished the night an impressive 31 of 33 from the line, converting at a 94% clip. In stark contrast, the Seattle Storm attempted only eight free throws in the entire contest, making seven of them.

This historic win advanced the Tempo's season record to 5-4, while the Storm fell to 3-6, marking their third consecutive road loss. Marina Mabrey led the Toronto offense with 18 points, including a pair of early three-pointers. Rookie Kiki Rice, the Tempo's sixth-overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, made significant contributions with 17 points, 13 of which came in the second half, and added a season-high four steals. Fellow rookie Laura Juskaite also had a career night, scoring 14 points with four three-pointers. Maria Conde chipped in 13 points, marking her second straight game in double figures, and Brittney Sykes, facing her former team, added 15 points and was perfect on all seven of her free throw attempts. For Seattle, Natisha Hiedeman scored 18 points, and Jordan Horston contributed a season-high 15 points, though the Storm struggled from deep, hitting only 7 of 27 three-point attempts.

The Toronto Tempo's journey as the WNBA's 14th team and the first franchise located outside of the United States began with their inaugural season in May 2026. Their establishment was officially announced on May 23, 2024, following a highly successful WNBA preseason exhibition game held in Toronto in May 2023, which generated considerable excitement for a Canadian team. Key ownership figures include Larry Tanenbaum through Kilmer Sports Ventures, alongside notable names such as Serena Williams, Lilly Singh, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Geoff Molson, France Margaret Bélanger, and Masai Ujiri. The team began building its roster on April 3, 2026, selecting 11 players in the expansion draft, with guard Julie Allemand from the Los Angeles Sparks being their initial pick.

Prior to this record-setting game, the Tempo had already secured their first franchise victory against the Seattle Storm on May 13, 2026, defeating them 86-73 at Coca-Cola Coliseum. In that earlier contest, Marina Mabrey led the Tempo with 26 points, including six three-pointers, while Brittney Sykes contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Rookie Kiki Rice scored 12 points, and Maria Conde added 16 points off the bench. For Seattle, Dominique Malonga led with 21 points and seven rebounds. Heading into the May 30th game, the Tempo held a 4-4 record, fresh off a 111-104 road win against the Chicago Sky that ended a two-game losing streak. The Storm, at 3-5, had seen their two-game winning streak snapped by a 78-64 loss to the Washington Mystics. The Tempo were managing key injuries, with center Temi Fagbenle (right shoulder sprain) and forward Isabelle Harrison (right thumb dislocation) sidelined, though guard Julie Allemand did return from a groin strain for the May 30th contest. Seattle's Dominique Malonga missed her sixth consecutive game due to concussion protocol.

Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has openly discussed the team's need to improve in certain areas, particularly rebounding, given their undersized front court due to injuries. Brondello stated, "We were disappointed in some of the areas where we've had a letdown. I know we're undersized, but it just means everyone has to get in there and help, not just the bigs." She specifically commended players like Rice, Mabrey, and Sykes for their efforts on the boards in addition to their offensive contributions, emphasizing that it requires "a mentality, a mindset to get in there." Nyara Sabally, one of Toronto's top rebounders, echoed this sentiment, commenting, "We've been lacking in that aspect over the past few games, especially the ones we lost; it's always an effort thing."

This record-breaking performance is more than just a single game's highlight; it underscores the promising start for the Toronto Tempo in their inaugural WNBA season. As the first WNBA team located outside the United States, their early success, especially a historic achievement like this free-throw record, significantly boosts the league's expansion efforts and fuels growing international interest in women's professional basketball. The victory against a well-established WNBA team like the Seattle Storm, combined with the strong contributions from their rookie class who collectively scored 44 points in the game, paints a picture of a competitive team with a bright future for the WNBA in Canada.