Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo WNBA Preview and Prediction
The Toronto Tempo are one of two WNBA expansion teams this year. They kick off their inaugural campaign by hosting the Washington Mystics on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Mystics have not won a playoff series since their 2019 WNBA championship, and they have missed the postseason each of the past two years. Second-year standouts Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are joined by UCLA All-American Lauren Betts.
The Tempo, headlined by veteran guards Brittney Sykes, Marina Mabrey, and Canadian Kia Nurse, are the first WNBA franchise north of the border, and they’ll be representing an entire nation while hoping to replicate Golden State’s success as an expansion team last year.
Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo WNBA Odds and Betting Trends
With an expected sold-out crowd at Coca-Cola Coliseum behind them, the Tempo enter Friday night’s opener as slight 1.5-point favourites on the WNBA odds, with a -125 moneyline. Washington sits at a +105 moneyline.
The over/under for this contest is 158.5.
Washington Mystics
Thanks to another young roster, the Mystics should be both very exciting and extremely frustrating this season. Expect upsets, but don’t expect consistency from a squad that finished 16-28 last year.
Citron (14.9 ppg, 1.2 STL) and Iriafen (13.3 ppg, 8.5 REB) were arguably the two best rookies in the WNBA not named Paige Bueckers last season. Both made the All-Star team in their debuts, and are now considered two of the veteran leaders on this squad.
Shakira Austin finally brushed off injury concerns to average 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. She joins Iriafen in the frontcourt, which should get a boost from first-round picks Betts, Angela Dugalic, and Cotie McMahon. Georgia Amoore returns to run the point after missing her own rookie season last year with a torn ACL.
Austin and Michaela Onyewere, the only players on Washington’s roster with more than a year of WNBA experience, are both day-to-day.
Toronto Tempo
The Tempo have an immediate blueprint to expansion success to follow after Golden State reached the playoffs in its inaugural season in 2025. But that also means added pressure and expectations.
Mabrey is on her fifth team in eight seasons despite averaging 12.5 points and shooting 34.2 per cent from 3-point range in her career. She averaged 14.4 points and 4 assists for Connecticut last season.
Sykes averaged 14.1 points and 4 assists while splitting the season between Washington and Seattle. She was leading the young Mystics with 15.4 points per game before getting sent to the Storm at the trade deadline.
Kiki Rice arrives from UCLA with the same championship experience as Betts, while Tami Fagbenle has experience with expansion success after averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds with the Valkyries last year.
However, the most important face could be coach Sandy Brondello, who is 271-181 with two WNBA titles in 13 seasons with San Antonio, Phoenix, and New York. She won a championship two seasons ago with the Liberty.
The Tempo are currently reporting no injuries, although Kitija Laksa and Maria Conde are out due to overseas commitments.
WNBA Prediction: Who will win Mystics vs. Tempo?
Look, the Tempo are going to have a massive, exuberant crowd behind them. But the Mystics may be a lot better than most prognosticators expect. Their frontcourt should give Toronto trouble at both ends of the court all game. Look for Washington to spoil the debut party, 85-79.