Injury blow hits Toronto Tempo as Sykes and Morrow ruled out for remainder of 2026 WNBA season

The Toronto Tempo have suffered a significant roster setback as head coach Sandy Brondello confirmed that veteran guard Brittney Sykes and forward Aneesah Morrow will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season. Both players sustained their injuries during Friday’s victory over the Portland Fire, a match that ended a 12-game losing streak for the expansion club.

Sykes, who had just returned to the lineup after missing 18 games due to a plantar fascia foot injury sustained in June, suffered a new foot injury. Morrow, who was traded to Toronto from the Connecticut Sun less than a month prior, sustained a knee injury and had to be helped off the court. The team confirmed to TSN’s Chelsea Leite that neither player will require surgery, though their recovery timelines extend beyond the end of the season.

The injury toll has left the Tempo with a critically short roster for their upcoming match against the Las Vegas Aces. With leading scorer Marina Mabrey, Nyara Sabally, and Maria Conde also sidelined due to injury issues, the team has only seven available players. Developmental player Ornella Bankole was activated to bring the total to eight, but Brondello noted that league rules prevent the Tempo from issuing a hardship contract to sign a replacement.

The Tempo were officially eliminated from the postseason earlier this week, ending any hopes of a playoff run in their inaugural year. The team has seven games remaining after Sunday’s fixture, a period that will serve as a test for the young squad’s resilience despite the absence of key contributors.

Brondello’s announcement underscores the fragility of the Tempo’s early season, where initial promise was derailed by a prolonged losing streak and persistent injury concerns. The upcoming games against Las Vegas will be crucial for the remaining available players to establish a foundation for future campaigns.