Mabrey, Sykes and Tempo took part in Raptors playoff home games

Before Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes would even take the court themselves in Toronto, the brand-new teammates were served one of the best examples of the city’s basketball fandom.

The Tempo’s first experience of Toronto’s love for the game came on Thursday night when the Raptors hosted the Cavaliers in Game 3 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs. Mabrey and Sykes joined a handful of other Tempo players after training camp at the game and a few others were back again for Sunday.

“It was crazy in there, the atmosphere, the energy, it gave you chills a bit,” Sykes told reporters at Monday’s Tempo media day. “I’m like bro this is nice, this would be great for us (to have too).”

Scotiabank Arena filled up on both nights to roar the Raptors to consecutive wins and even the series, and the environment certainly made an impact on Toronto’s newest basketball professionals.

“The experience at the game was amazing obviously last night and I just hope we can build that for the Tempo too,” Mabrey said.

But, it wasn’t just the love fans have for the Raptors that made the experience so special. The Tempo players — most of whom hadn’t been in the city for a full week yet — got a real taste of the love that’s already growing for the WNBA as well.

“Literally every fan was like ‘we’re gonna be the same at your game some day!’” Sykes said.

“We ain’t got this many seats but I’m gonna hold you to it, I better see you.”

Multiple Tempo players have stories of being stopped on the road and recognized in their first few days in the city. Some have even heard their name yelled out from across the street as they’ve started exploring town. Already there’s a sense of community and recognition building around the first international W franchise.

Of course, the Raptors game came with a few stints on the jumbotron, some excited waves, and cheering fans, but it was also Sykes’ and Mabrey’s first introduction to the key characters of Toronto basketball world.

And yes, that means they had a chance to meet Toronto Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia.

In pictures posted on Instagram, Sykes and Mabrey are seen interacting with the fixture of the Raptor’s home court and taking turns trying on his championship rings.

Bhatia — who has floor seats and season tickets to the Tempo’s inaugural summer — wrote on Instagram about meeting Mabrey after the meetup.

“Future Hall of Famer. Future Toronto Tempo champion. Just have her practicing with the rings on,” the superfan wrote under a photo of them posing courtside.

Then, Bhatia used a snap with Sykes to get the news out about her accolades.

“Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce you to Toronto Tempo’s own Brittany “slim” Sykes
WNBA All-Star (2025)
WNBL Defensive Player of the Year (2022)
All-WNBL First Team (2022)
2× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2021, 2023)
2× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2020, 2022)
2× WNBA steals leader (2021, 2022)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2017)
Unrivaled champion (2025)
First-team All-ACC (2017)
ACC All-Defensive Team (2017)
Big East All-Freshman Team (2013)
McDonald’s All-American (2012)
Look at that list of honours.
So excited to have her here in Toronto and can’t wait for May 8th season opener!!” he wrote.

Although the WNBA and NBA feature the same sport and have league business ties, it wasn’t a given that Toronto fans would seamlessly adopt the newest basketball team into their fandom. Of course, the real test of how Toronto will show up for the Tempo comes with Wednesday’s preseason action and then at the first regular-season game on May 8. But, if the connections that are already forming can serve as any foreshadowing, it seems fans of the two basketball entities are on track to overlap.

The post Mabrey, Sykes and Tempo took part in Raptors playoff home games first appeared on Raptors Republic.