The Toronto Tempo will have one of their biggest challenges of the season as they host four-time MVP A’ja Wilson and the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces tonight on TSN.
Watch Aces vs. Tempo LIVE at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on TSN1/4 and streaming on TSN.ca and the TSN App.
Toronto will be without head coach Sandy Brondello, who is serving her one-game suspension for inappropriate comments made following the Tempo’s loss to the Atlanta Dream on Friday that involved Angel Reese.
Tempo forward Nyara Sabally was injured at the end of Friday’s game after incidental contact with Reese, leading to Brondello’s comments and subsequent apology.
Sabally (ribs) is out for tonight’s contest while Brittney Sykes (foot) and Kiki Rice (ankle) remain on the injured reserve.
It’s been a struggle for the Tempo as of late, with just one win in their past seven games as various injuries have pulled players out of the lineup. Their lone victory this month came on July 12 against the New York Liberty at the Bell Centre as the Tempo blew a 20-point lead before securing a close 93-91 win.
Despite a 26-point night from Marina Mabrey against Atlanta, the Tempo lost 111-92 to the Eastern Conference co-leaders.
Toronto is fifth in the conference at 10-15 but are only 5.5 games back of Atlanta and Indiana.
Meanwhile in Las Vegas, Wilson is continuing to produce at a level that could earn her a fifth MVP award.
She is first in the WNBA in points per game (25.5) and blocks (2.0) and is third in rebounding (9.8) and is shooting at 40 per cent from three this season.
Las Vegas last played eight days ago and are coming off a tough 109-75 loss to the Indiana Fever as Wilson (20 points) and Jackie Young (15) were the only Aces player to reach double figures that night.
This is the first of three meetings this season between Toronto and Las Vegas as the Tempo will face the Aces Aug. 23 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and in Las Vegas on Aug. 28.
