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
Harvard Alum Temi Fagbenle ’15 Embraces New Chapter with the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo Temi Fagbenle ’15, a Harvard alum and WNBA star, has signed with the Toronto Tempo, one of the league’s newest expansion teams. The move marks her fifth season in the WNBA and her first with a Canadian-based franchise. Fagbenle, who has spent over a decade in professional basketball, described the opportunity as a chance to contribute to a team’s growth while continuing to evolve as a player. Fagbenle’s journey to the WNBA began with a standout collegiate career at Harvard, where she was a two-time All-Ivy League selection and a key contributor to the team’s success. After graduating in 2015, she transferred to the University of Southern California for her final season, a decision that proved pivotal in her professional development. Since 2016, she has played internationally, winning national championships in Spain, Italy, and Great Britain, as well as the 2024 EuroCup title with the London Lions. She also represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics, where she averaged 4.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game despite her team’s 0-5 record in group play. Fagbenle’s WNBA career began in 2017 with the Minnesota Lynx, where she won a championship as a rookie. She returned to the league in 2024 with the Indiana Fever, averaging 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in her first month before injuries limited her to just 22 games. Her path to the Toronto Tempo, however, has been anything but linear. Over the years, she has navigated multiple leagues, countries, and roles, building a reputation as a versatile forward with a team-first mindset. “Success isn’t defined by a single moment or milestone,” Fagbenle said. “It’s about a mindset shaped over years of experience.#harvard #wnba #university_of_southern_california #toronto_tempo #temi_fagbenle
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
