Final Injury Report for Fire-Tempo: Key Players' Availability in Question The Toronto Tempo will host the Portland Fire in an interconference matchup on Saturday night, with both teams entering the game with mixed records and potential injury concerns. The Tempo, who carry a 3-3 record into the contest, look to rebound from a road loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday. In that game, Kia Nurse led the Tempo with 23 points and four rebounds off the bench, while Kiki Rice contributed 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists. The Fire, with a 2-3 record, aim to bounce back from a Wednesday loss to the Indiana Fever, where Bridget Carleton scored 16 points, three rebounds, and three steals, and Sug Sutton added 14 points and four assists. Both teams face challenges with their injury reports, which could impact their starting lineups. For the Fire, forward Nyadiew Puoch is listed as questionable due to a right ankle injury sustained in Wednesday’s loss to the Fever. Puoch, who has been a key contributor for Portland, is at risk of missing her first game of the season. The Fire also have Karlie Samuelson (left foot) and Teja Oblak (right quad) listed as questionable, with Samuelson possibly making her season debut and Oblak’s availability uncertain. Additionally, Julie Allemand has been ruled out for her fourth consecutive game due to a left hip injury, while Isabelle Harrison and Temi Fagbenle are also sidelined, with Harrison out for a right hand injury and Fagbenle missing her fifth straight contest due to a right shoulder issue. The Tempo’s injury report includes four players, with forward Nyara Sabally listed as questionable due to a neck injury. Sabally, who missed the previous two games, could return for Saturday’s matchup.#kiki_rice #portland_fire #toronto_tempo #kia_nurse #bridget_carleton
Sabrina Ionescu sidelined as Liberty travel to expansion Fire The New York Liberty’s star guard, Sabrina Ionescu, will miss her first WNBA games in Oregon due to a left foot injury, delaying her return to the court until next season. The injury forces her to sit out the upcoming matchups against the expansion Portland Fire on Tuesday and Thursday at the Moda Center. Ionescu, a former University of Oregon standout, had been anticipated to make her debut with the Liberty, but the setback means she will not be part of the team’s early-season action. In her absence, the Liberty have leaned on Marine Johannes, who stepped up with a career-high 25 points, including six 3-pointers, in a 98-93 overtime victory over the Washington Mystics on Sunday. The win improved the Liberty’s record to 2-0, marking a strong start to the 2026 season. Johannes’ performance was highlighted by her ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, with coach Chris DeMarco praising her competitiveness and confidence. “She’s a really special player,” DeMarco said. “She needs to have confidence, and we’re gonna live with the mistakes she makes. And it’s really part of her greatness and her all-around game.” Breanna Stewart added 23 points and nine rebounds, while rookie Pauline Astier, another French import, contributed 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Jonquel Jones also played a key role with 13 points and eight rebounds. The Liberty’s balanced scoring and team effort helped secure the win, showcasing their depth despite Ionescu’s absence. Meanwhile, the expansion Portland Fire made a strong debut with a record-breaking crowd of 19,335 for their season opener on Saturday.#portland_fire #chris_demarco #new_york_liberty #sabrina_ionescu #marine_johannes
The WNBA Expansion Draft Moves Forward, Leaving Boston Out of the Franchise Picture The WNBA held its expansion draft Friday, officially welcoming the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo as the league’s 14th and 15th franchises. This marks a significant step in the league’s growth, with plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030, including additions in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia. However, Boston remains excluded from the WNBA’s expansion plans, a decision that has left fans and officials in the region frustrated. The league’s decision to move the Connecticut Sun to Houston, where it will be rebranded as the Houston Comets, has further complicated Boston’s chances. The Sun’s relocation was finalized after the 2026 season, with Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta acquiring the team for $300 million—a deal that fell short of a previous $325 million bid by former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry to move the franchise to Hartford. The WNBA rejected both bids, citing its own governance process for relocation decisions. Boston’s attempts to secure a WNBA franchise have been met with resistance. A bid by former Celtics managing partner Steve Pagliuca to move the Sun to Boston was also rejected, with the league stating that relocation decisions are managed by its Board of Governors. Despite the city’s strong sports culture and the presence of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, the WNBA has not viewed Boston as a serious contender for a new franchise. The league’s preference for NBA owners like Fertitta reflects its strategy to align with existing franchises and leverage their resources. This approach has led to a focus on cities with established infrastructure and financial backing, leaving Boston in a backseat position.#wnba #portland_fire #toronto_tempo #tilman_fertitta #marc_lasry
