20.1 PPG Gone: Brittney Sykes and Kiki Rice Are Out, and The Tempo Has No Answer

Alright Seattle sports fans, brace yourselves, because we just got a gut punch of news out of the WNBA that's gonna send shockwaves through the league. The Toronto Tempo, that expansion squad, just announced that two of their absolute key guards, Brittney Sykes and rookie Kiki Rice, are officially out of the lineup for the foreseeable future. This isn't just a bump in the road, folks, this is a massive hit to their early season momentum. We're talking about a serious double injury blow right when they need their top talent on the court.

A Double Shot to the Tempo's Early Season

Let's break down this brutal news. Brittney Sykes, the veteran at 32 years old, is dealing with a plantar fascia injury. Ouch. We saw her go down on Tuesday, helped off the court in the third quarter during their tough 131-91 loss to the Indiana Fever. That's a huge loss because Sykes isn't just playing, she's absolutely balling out. She’s leading the team with a ridiculous 20.1 points per game over 15 games, plus she's snagging 3.8 rebounds and dishing out 3.5 assists. That kind of production is irreplaceable, especially on an expansion team. Then there's Kiki Rice, the 22-year-old phenom. She got hit with a Grade 3 ankle sprain all the way back on June 3rd. This rookie, fresh off pla

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ying for national champion UCLA and being the sixth overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, was already making a huge impact. In her 10 games this season, Rice was averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. You lose a rising star like that, alongside your team's leading scorer, and suddenly your rotation looks a whole lot different.

What's Next For This Expansion Squad?

The team says both players will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks, and the *expectation* is they'll return at some point this season. That's a tiny sliver of hope, sure, but "some point this season" is vague, and right now, the Tempo needs them on the floor. Losing both a veteran leader who's absolutely dominating the scoring charts *and* a high-draft-pick rookie who's proving her worth is just brutal. It leaves a massive hole in their offensive attack and defensive intensity. What does this mean for their immediate future? Well, the Tempo is set to play the Connecticut Sun on the road Friday night. Talk about a tough test. They're heading into a road game against a good team with their top two guards sidelined. This is where you find out what kind of depth and grit this new squad really has. Every remaining player is going to have to step up big time, because right now, the Tempo is without their two best playmakers, and it's going to be a battle just to stay competitive.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.