The WNBA schedule slows down on Tuesday, with just one game on the slate as the Phoenix Mercury host the Toronto Tempo. Tuesday’s contest marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams this season.
Phoenix opened the season with a 99-66 win over the Las Vegas Aces before dropping the following two games: a 95-79 loss to the Golden State Valkyries and an 88-84 defeat to the Minnesota Lynx. The Mercury most recently bounced back with a 91-83 home victory over the Chicago Sky. That leaves Phoenix fifth in the Western Conference standings behind the Lynx and Wings.
Kahleah Copper leads the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game. She recorded the 18th 30-point game of her career in the loss to the Lynx. Alyssa Thomas, Jovana Nogic, DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Mack are also averaging double figures. The Mercury have had three days off and are hoping to use the extra rest to build momentum.
Toronto, on the other hand, has split its first four games of the season. The Tempo opened the year with a 68-65 loss to the Washington Mystics before earning the franchise’s first-ever win with an 86-73 comeback victory over the Seattle Storm behind Marina Mabrey’s 26-point performance.
The team then hit the road for back-to-back games in Los Angeles. Toronto lost the first contest 99-95 before bouncing back with a 106-96 win on Sunday.
Brittney Sykes led the way in that victory with a career-high 38 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including a perfect 15-for-15 from the free-throw line. Rookie Kiki Rice added 19 points in her first start, while Mabrey scored 14 and Kia Nurse chipped in 10.
Like the Mercury, the Tempo sit fifth in their conference standings behind the Mystics. Toronto will need a more complete team effort if it hopes to secure another road victory.
Toronto Tempo vs Phoenix Mercury Injury Reports
Toronto Tempo Injury Report
The Tempo have listed four players on the injury report. Temi Fagbenle, Isabelle Harrison, and Julie Allemand are all listed as out, which is unchanged from Toronto’s last game against the Sparks. However, there is a new addition, as Nyara Sabally has been ruled out with a neck injury.
Phoenix Mercury Injury Report
The Mercury have no fresh injury concerns to report from their win over the Sky, with Sami Whitcomb continuing to be sidelined after undergoing arthroscopy on her left knee.
Toronto Tempo vs Phoenix Mercury Starting Lineups
Toronto Tempo Starting Lineup
PG: Julie Allemand, SG: Brittney Sykes, SF: Marina Mabrey, PF: Maria Conde, C: Teonni Key
Phoenix Mercury Starting Lineup
PG: Alyssa Thomas , SG: Kahleah Copper, SF: Jovana Nogic, PF Natasha Mack, C DeWanna Bonner
How to watch Toronto Tempo vs Phoenix Mercury?
The Toronto Tempo vs Phoenix Mercury matchup is scheduled for a 10 p.m. tipoff at the Footprint Center. The matchup will air on TSN and AZFamily, while live streams will be available on WNBA League Pass.
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