The Toronto Tempo rookie Kiki Rice has been on a hot streak.
The No. 6 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft from UCLA has scored 10 or more points in eight straight contests, helping the Tempo to a 5-4 record. Their latest win – a 93-72 victory over the Seattle Storm on Saturday – saw her score 17 points.
It was the Tempo’s second win this season against the Storm. The game showed improvement in team chemistry as the Tempo continue to find their groove.
“I think we just played harder, sometimes you just got to play harder than your opponent,” head coach Sandy Brondello said after the game. “Now, obviously, we’re going to see things get tougher and tougher as we move forward, and we’ve got to make sure we are maintaining that.”
The Tempo started off hot, with shooting guard Marina Mabrey making a few three-point shots in the first quarter. Her third made three of the game pushed her into 25th place on the WNBA’s all-time three-pointers made list, passing New York Liberty all-star Sabrina Ionescu. Mabrey ended the game with 18 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Rice also added six rebounds, one assist, and four steals to her statline.
“[Rice is] even better than I thought she would be,” Brondello said of her rookie. “I love that she just wants a challenge, and she’s a true competitor. She’s a winner.
“We’re very thankful that she’s on this team.”
Rice transitioned into a starting role after veteran point guard, Julie Allemand, was injured. After missing two weeks with a groin injury, Allemand was back in Saturday’s game against the Storm.
To help transition her back into the lineup, Brondello opted to have Rice start again and play Allemand off the bench.
“I mean they’re all going to get to play – it’s not who starts, it’s who finishes,” Brondello said about which guard will start moving forward. “They’re all valuable players for us. They’re going to play together as well. You saw that we want to utilize that, and that is our strength. So, I mean, no decisions made.”
Brondello played extended minutes with both Rice and Allemand on the floor as well. The result was a quick burst of energy from the Tempo, where the team was running out in transition and driving to the basket.
“I just thought we were playing too slow. We’re playing right into their hands and making it a half-court game,” Brondello said about the decision. “Julie, Kiki, we’re giving it to them, and we’re running, so everyone else has to run faster, don’t they?
“I thought it was good, and that’s why we have a team, don’t we? We always knew Julie and Kiki would play together, but we can go in so many different directions, depending on how the game’s going.”
Rice is currently third among 2026 WNBA rookies in points per game with 13.1 and third in highest average minutes played per game. She is tied with Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles for double-digit scoring games by rookies, each with eight.
“I think this is what we envisioned [for Rice],” Brondello said. “It says a lot about her commitment to excellence and willingness to be a very focal point of this team, and how we want to play at both ends of the floor.”
Overall, the win against the Storm was a balanced effort. In addition to Mabrey and Rice’s offensive contributions, guard Brittney Sykes scored 15 points and forward Laura Juskaite had 14 points. Wing Maria Conde came off the bench to score 13 points of her own.
The Tempo now have a few days off before they head to New York to face the Liberty for their next game on Wednesday. It will be the first time that Brondello will be coaching against her former Liberty team since parting ways with the franchise after the 2025 WNBA season.
“I had four great years in New York, won a championship,” Brondello said about returning to Brooklyn. “I have really special memories from my time there.
“You’re not going to stay with one team your whole career. I’m excited to go back. I’m excited to take the Tempo there.”
The Tempo’s next home game is Sunday June 7, against the Chicago Sky.
