The Toronto Tempo's inaugural game was a kaleidoscope of emotions

There has to be a beginning and here it was.

Referee Clare Simmons moved to the centre of a sold-out Coca-Cola Coliseum, an arena originally built in 1921 for agriculture fairs that has since morphed into a charming hockey barn. The WNBA official brought the fire orange and white ball to the top of her hands.

All eyes were now on the court, a slick floor draped in the team’s colours, Borealis Blue and Tempo Bordeaux. Temi Fagbenle touched the bottom of both her sneakers and went into tip mode for the Toronto Tempo. Shakira Austin was opposite her, coiled and ready to jump for the Washington Mystics. The sell-out crowd of 8,210 was amped. Here we go.

Mark down the moment — 7:34 p.m. Eastern Time on a Friday night in Toronto. That’s when the WNBA’s first season in Canada officially began. History will note that guard Brittney Sykes scored the first-ever points for Tempo on a jumper from just over the free-throw line. 

Brittney Sykes scores the first points in Toronto Tempo history

The game was tight, a kaleidoscope of emotions, everything you could ask for in an inaugural game. Marina Mabrey’s two free throws with 32.1 seconds left put Toronto up 65-64 but four clutch free throws from Austin, who signed an offer sheet with the Tempo in the offseason only to see the Mystics match it, was the difference along with some choppy late-game execution from the home team.

The final score was 68-65 Mystics but it really won’t matter in the long term. Everything about the night was a celebration. Free t-shirts were draped on each seat commemorating opening night. Prime Minister Mark Carney sent out warm wishes in social media in both English and French.

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