Set The Tempo Postgame: Marina Mabrey Drops 36 as Toronto Tempo Lose 9th Straight to Dream

The losing streak hits nine, but this one had more positives than the last few.In this episode of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium reacts to Toronto’s 107-95 loss to the Atlanta Dream, as the Tempo fall to 10-22 and Atlanta completes the season-series sweep.Toronto showed real offensive life behind a huge 36-point performance from Marina Mabrey, a strong all-around game from Kiki Rice, and another double-double from Nyara Sabally. But the defense was once again the issue, with Atlanta scoring 107 points and getting 20-plus from Angel Reese, Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard.With the playoffs essentially gone, Tyler looks at what matters most down the stretch: getting healthy, seeing the future core together, and finally getting Brittney Sykes back on the floor.🚨 In this episode:😬 Tempo Lose 9th Straight* Toronto falls 107-95 to Atlanta* Tempo drop to 10-22* Atlanta sweeps the season series* Toronto has now lost nine straight games🔥 Marina Mabrey Bounces Back* 36 points* 12-of-19 from the field* 7-of-13 from three* 5 free throw attempts* Looked healthier after two rough games👀 Kiki Rice Looks Like Kiki Again* 18 points* 5 rebounds* 6 assists* 7-of-11 shooting* Played 30 minutes* Starting to round back into form after the ankle injury💪 Nyara Sabally Double-Double* 12 points* 12 rebounds* 3 assists* 4 steals* Showing the version of Sabally Toronto hoped to see consistently📉 Defense Costs Toronto Again* Atlanta scores 107 points* Sandy Brondello: 95 points should usually be enough to win* Poor energy and poor transition defense* Tempo could not contain Atlanta’s top scorers🧱 Second Quarter Swing* Toronto trailed by only two after the first* Atlanta wins the second quarter 30-17* Tempo won the third and fourth quarters, but the second quarter created the gap* Another game decided by one disastrous stretch🏥 Brittney Sykes Update* Sykes has been out since June 16* Missed nearly two months with a plantar fascia injury* Has progressed to half-court practice* No official return date yet, but Tyler believes she will be back this season🧩 Future Core WatchTyler wants to finally see this group healthy together:* Kiki Rice* Marina Mabrey* Brittney Sykes* Aneesah Morrow* Nyara SaballyThat lineup may tell Toronto more than lottery positioning alone.🧠 Draft Lottery vs Health* Toronto remains near the top of the WNBA lottery picture* JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo and Madison Booker remain the big draft names* Tyler would rather see the Tempo healthy than chase losses* Even falling out of the top three still leaves lottery upside⏳ Next Up: Dallas Wings* Toronto faces Dallas tomorrow* A loss would make it 10 straight* Last matchup with Dallas went down to the wire* Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd remain must-watch players📅 Next Game: Toronto Tempo vs Dallas Wings🎧 New episodes after EVERY Tempo game📲 Follow @TylerConium🇨🇦 The streak is ugly, but the future core is finally getting closerLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com