TORONTO — Some nights redefine a season. Others earn a permanent place in basketball history.
Marina Mabrey produced one of the finest individual performances the WNBA has ever witnessed on Thursday night, pouring in 53 points to equal the league’s all-time single-game scoring record as the Toronto Tempo cruised to a commanding 125-97 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
From the opening tip, Mabrey looked unstoppable. She attacked the basket with confidence, buried shots from long range and punished every defensive adjustment the Sparks attempted. By the final buzzer, the veteran guard had matched the historic 53-point mark previously achieved only by Liz Cambage in 2018 and A’ja Wilson in 2023.
The performance also became the highest-scoring game in Toronto Tempo franchise history and further established Mabrey as one of the league’s premier offensive talents.
She finished with an extraordinary shooting line, converting 17 of 28 field-goal attempts, knocking down nine three pointers matching another WNBA single-game record and making 10 of 12 free throws. Mabrey also contributed six rebounds and two assists in just 34 minutes.
Remarkably, Mabrey admitted after the game that she had little idea how close she was to history.
“I thought I had 35,” she said with a smile after seeing the final scoresheet, explaining that it was only after her sister informed her from courtside that she realized the record was within reach.
The victory lifted Toronto back to a 9-9 record, keeping the expansion franchise firmly in the playoff conversation while delivering another memorable moment for the Canadian supporters who filled Coca-Cola Coliseum. The crowd rewarded Mabrey’s unforgettable display with loud chants of “MVP” as she left the floor.
Head coach Sandy Brondello praised her guard’s composure and shot-making, describing the performance as one of the most remarkable she has witnessed from a player under her guidance.
Next Match
Toronto Tempo will return to action on Saturday, June 27, when they host the Phoenix Mercury at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Tempo will look to build on Thursday’s statement victory and continue their push up the WNBA standings.
