Rachel: Ten players out. One final game. A 95-81 loss to the Connecticut Sun in what was, unfortunately for Sun fans, their last game before moving to Houston. But for us? This is the moment we’ve been building toward all week. Dave, are you ready to open the mailbag?
Dave: I am. We spent the last three days breaking down the roster battles and the core trio of Kiki Rice, Julie Allemand, and Isabelle Harrison. Today, we’re letting you drive. We’ve got questions about the offseason, the injuries, and that brutal 11-game road slide.
Rachel: Here’s the roadmap for today’s mailbag episode: First, we tackle the elephant in the room—the ten-player injury list from the finale and what it means for health next year. Second, we dive into the depth chart and who might be on the outside looking in during training camp. And third, a fun hypothetical scenario plus a lightning round of quick takes on the 2027 outlook. Let’s get into it.
Rachel: Starting with Segment One, our first question comes from Sarah from Buffalo. She writes: 'With ten players listed as Out for the finale against Connecticut, including stars like Brittney Griner and Marina Mabrey, how do we even evaluate the team's potential for next season when half the roster isn't playing?' Great question, Sarah. It’s the most obvious issue facing Toronto right now.
Dave: It’s massive. You look at that box score from September 24th. The Tempo were down to their bare bones. Kiki Rice dropped 28 points, but she was carrying an impossible load. Isabelle Harrison grabbed 10 rebounds, Julie Allemand dished 5 assists. That’s it. When you have ten players out, you aren’t testing rotations; you’re just surviving. It makes evaluating 'potential' tricky because we haven’t seen the actual team play together in months.
Rachel: Exactly. And this wasn’t just bad luck. We saw Rayah Marshall, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Saniya Rivers, Kennedy Burke, Kamila Borkowska, Maria Gakdeng, Maria Conde, Temi Fagbenle—gone. All out. It leaves us with that core trio we’ve been talking about. Marcus in Chicago asks: 'Is retaining Rice, Allemand, and Harrison enough to go from 11 wins to 22? That seems like a huge jump.'
Dave: Marcus, that is the million-dollar question. Going from 11-33 to 22 wins requires more than just keeping your best players healthy. It requires structural improvement. Kiki Rice showed she can score—28 points in the finale proves her offensive ceiling. Julie Allemand provides playmaking stability. Isabelle Harrison offers interior presence. But 22 wins implies doubling your win total. That usually means fixing the defensive spacing and shot selection issues that plagued them during that five-game losing streak against Chicago earlier in the month.
Rachel: Right. Remember, they lost that game to the Sky 97-85, where Gabriela Jaquez and Sydney Taylor scored 18 apiece. The Tempo couldn’t stop the paint penetration. So, Dave, if the core stays, what’s the biggest tactical change needed to hit that 22-win mark?
Dave: Rim protection and switching. When Harrison is in, they need better help-side defense. When she’s not, or when opponents run pick-and-rolls effectively, like Hailey Van Lith did with 8 assists and 9 rebounds against Toronto, the Tempo gets exposed. They need to improve their rotations. It’s not just about scoring; it’s about not giving up easy buckets in the paint. That’s how you turn losses into competitive games.
Rachel: So, health plus defensive discipline. @TempoFan88 tweets: 'Why did the Tempo lose 95-81 to Connecticut in their final game? Did they just give up?' Good point. It felt heavy, didn’t it?
Dave: It did. Ashlon Jackson led the Sun with 18 points. The Tempo’s defense was fragmented. Without their regular rotation, the spacing fell apart. Opponents drove, kicked, and found open looks. It wasn’t a lack of effort; it was a lack of bodies. You can’t switch effectively when you’re playing five guys who have been practicing together for less than two weeks because everyone else is injured.
Rachel: That’s a harsh reality. Ten players out. It leaves us wondering about the future. Let’s move to Segment Two: Roster Battles and Depth Chart Questions. Emily from Seattle asks: 'Who are the outsiders? With the core trio locked in, who is fighting for the last few spots on the 12-man roster?'
Dave: Emily, that’s the crux of the offseason. If we assume Rice, Allemand, and Harrison stay—as we predicted in previous episodes—we have nine spots left. The injury list tells us a lot about who is fragile. Players like Temi Fagbenle and Olivia Nelson-Ododa were staples but are currently out. Management will look for durability. They need players who can stay on the floor.
Rachel: And versatility. With only 22 wins projected, every possession matters. Leo from Toronto asks: 'Should the Tempo prioritize drafting or signing a backup center, given Harrison’s age and injury history?'
Dave: Absolutely. Harrison had 10 rebounds in the finale, which is impressive for a depleted squad. But relying on her for heavy minutes is risky. If they don’t add depth behind her, one minor tweak could send them back to single-digit wins. They need a reliable second option inside to share the load, especially when opposing teams target the Tempo’s weak rim protection.
Rachel: Makes sense. Back-to-back backups for both guard and forward spots might be smart too. Kevin in New York asks: 'What happens to the young players who didn’t see much action due to injuries? Do they get development time or get cut?'
Dave: That’s the tough call. Development time is valuable, but so is winning. If the goal is 22 wins, they might lean towards experienced players who can contribute immediately. However, keeping some young talent for depth is crucial if injuries strike again. It’s a balancing act between short-term competitiveness and long-term growth.
Rachel: Agreed. We’ll see how management balances that ledger. Before we head to our final segment, I want to take a quick moment to talk about how we keep this show going. Every day, Rachel and I dig through stats, read your emails, and break down the tactics. It takes a village to produce fresh content daily. If you love hearing these deep dives and want to help us keep the Beatline free for everyone, please consider supporting us. Just click the link in the episode description. Your support keeps the microphone on and the analysis sharp. Thank you.
Rachel: Alright, Segment Three! Fun Hypothetical and Lightning Round. First, the hypothetical: If the Tempo started next season with zero injuries and kept the exact same core trio plus two new veteran additions, what’s the realistic ceiling? 25 wins? 30?
Dave: I’d say 25 to 28 wins. Jumping to 30 requires a breakthrough in shot creation and defensive efficiency that might take another full year of cohesion. 25 wins feels achievable if they fix the spacing issues we saw against Chicago and Connecticut. It’s a solid foundation, but maybe not playoff contention yet.
Rachel: I’m leaning toward 25. It’s ambitious but grounded. Now, Lightning Round! Quick takes. Question one: Who was the most impressive player in the finale besides Kiki Rice?
Dave: Isabelle Harrison. 10 rebounds in a loss with no help? That’s dominance in a vacuum. She held her own against the Sun’s frontcourt.
Rachel: Second question: What’s the biggest risk for the Tempo in the upcoming offseason?
Dave: Stagnation. If they don’t address the defensive weaknesses or add depth, they risk falling further behind in the East. 6th place is comfortable until it isn’t.
Rachel: Third question: Final prediction for the 2027 season win total?
Dave: 22 wins. Health improves, roster cuts are executed aggressively, and the core trio finds its rhythm. It’s a target, not a guarantee.
Rachel: There you have it. From the 10-injury finale to the 22-win target, we’ve covered it all. Thanks to Sarah, Marcus, Emily, and all of you for the great questions. Keep sending them in!
Dave: Stay tuned for more Tempo coverage. We’ll be back tomorrow with another deep dive.
Rachel: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast app. It helps more fans find the Beatline. Go Tempo!