Toronto Tempo rookie Kiki Rice is set to return to the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx. The team confirmed her return after she had been sidelined since early June due to an ankle sprain.
Rice, a 22-year-old guard, sustained the injury on June 3 during a game against the New York Liberty. Her return marks a significant development for the Tempo as they resume their season following the WNBA All-Star break.
Rice’s Impact and Team Standing
Before her injury, Rice was a key contributor for the Tempo. She was selected as the team’s first-round pick, sixth overall, in this year’s WNBA Draft. Her performance prior to the ankle sprain included an average of 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Additionally, she maintained a shooting percentage of 55.2 per cent from the field.
Earlier this year, Rice achieved an NCAA championship with UCLA during her senior season. Her return is anticipated to bolster the Tempo, who currently hold a 10-16 record and are positioned fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The Tempo are currently 10th in the league standings with 18 games remaining in the season. They are trailing the eighth-place Washington Mystics, who have a 14-12 record, for the final playoff spot. The team faces a challenging schedule, possessing the second-hardest strength of schedule in the WNBA, with opponents having an average win percentage of .552. This includes four upcoming games against the league’s top two teams, the Minnesota Lynx and the Golden State Valkyries.
Team Injuries and Coaching Return
Rice’s return comes as the Tempo continue to manage other injuries. Starting guard Brittney Sykes has been out since June 16 due to a left plantar fascia injury, with no set timetable for her return. Head coach Sandy Brondello had expressed optimism about Rice’s recovery on Sunday, noting that Rice participated in a full practice on Monday morning and was initially listed as questionable for the game in Minnesota.
The Tempo’s starting lineup has not yet played a game together in the team’s inaugural season due to various injuries. The team will also see the return of Head Coach Sandy Brondello to the bench for Tuesday’s game. Brondello had served a one-game suspension for comments made regarding Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese. The comment, picked up by the broadcast, referred to Reese as a “protected species” after she drew a foul on Toronto player Nyara Sabally.
Brondello, an Australian and former player with two WNBA titles, later apologized for the phrase, which she explained is used in Australian sports to express frustration over a lack of calls against a player. However, in the U.S., the phrase can be perceived as derogatory. Reese accepted the apology, acknowledging the league’s prompt action.
The Tempo will face the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis on Tuesday night. This will be the second matchup between the two teams this season; the Lynx previously defeated the Tempo 100-72 on May 22. The Lynx are currently 10-4 in home games. The Tempo have a 4-6 record in away games.
The Tempo will host their next two home games at Scotiabank Arena. The first will be on Thursday against the Lynx, followed by a game on August 18 against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Scotiabank Arena, which is home to the Raptors and Maple Leafs, has nearly 12,000 more seats than the Tempo’s usual home venue, Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Tempo’s first game at Scotiabank Arena was an 89-80 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on June 27, played in front of 15,687 fans.
The Lynx are averaging 92.8 points, 32.6 rebounds, 21.7 assists, 9.0 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game over their last 10 games, while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 88.9 points per game during this period. In contrast, the Tempo have averaged 86.8 points, 31.8 rebounds, 20.8 assists, 5.3 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game over their last 10 games, with a shooting percentage of 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 95.0 points.
The Lynx are shooting 48.0% from the field this season, which is 1.0 percentage point higher than the 47.0% that Toronto allows to opponents. The Tempo have shot at a 44.8% rate from the field this season, which is 2.7 percentage points higher than the 42.1% shooting average of Minnesota’s opponents. Natasha Howard is averaging 15.9 points, eight rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 steals for the Lynx. Kayla McBride is averaging 24.9 points over the last 10 games. For the Tempo, Laura Juskaite is averaging 9.2 points, and Marina Mabrey is averaging 21.8 points over the last 10 games.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT in Minneapolis.
Source: sportsnet.ca
