Mabrey ties WNBA record with 53 points as Tempo roll to 125-97 rout of Sparks

Toronto Tempo's Marina Mabrey celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Sparks during first half WNBA action in Toronto on June 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

TORONTO — Marina Mabrey inserted herself into the record books on Thursday, matching the WNBA’s single-game record with 53 points as the Toronto Tempo routed the Los Angeles Sparks 125-97.

Mabrey had a franchise-best 19-point first quarter and didn’t stop there, also matching the single-game three-pointers record with nine as part of her career night.

She shares the record with A’Ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces (Aug. 22, 2023) and Liz Cambage of the Dallas Wings (July 17, 2018).

Mabrey’s total topped the previous team high of 38 points scored on two occasions by Brittney Sykes.

The Tempo star finished her night shooting 17-of-28 from the field, nine-of-18 from deep and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line while adding six rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes.

When she checked out of the game with one minute remaining, fans briefly booed before erupting into cheers in acknowledgement of her big night. The clock ticked down to zero with chants of ‘We Want Mabrey!’

Julie Allemand added the second double-double in Tempo history with 13 points and 14 assists to go with six rebounds. Toronto’s 125 points represented a franchise high.

Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with 21 points apiece.

Toronto (9-9) climbed back to .500 with the win, while Los Angeles (8-9) fell just under the mark.

The teams split a pair of games last month in Los Angeles.

The game tipped off a season-long nine-game homestand for the Tempo, which will include two contests at Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Takeaways

Tempo: Toronto had made a habit of starting slow in recent games. On Thursday, the Tempo stormed to an early 19-6 lead and never looked back.

Sparks: The Sparks’ uneven season continued as they failed to sustain momentum from a highlight-reel buzzer-beater win over the New York Liberty in the WNBA’s 30th anniversary game on Sunday.

Key moment

Mabrey tied the records for points and three-pointers late in the fourth quarter off a feed from Allemand, leading to a massive ovation and MVP chants throughout the crowd.

Key stat

Mabrey owns the three highest-scoring quarters in the WNBA this season, having also put up 21 in the fourth quarter on June 19 against the Connecticut Sun and 18 in the final frame against the Washington Mystics one week prior.

Up next

Tempo: Play their first game at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday against the Phoenix Mercury.

Sparks: Visit the Indiana Fever on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2026.

Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press