Sports

Toronto Tempo's struggles are overshadowing an exciting frontcourt breakout

High Post Hoops · Jul 21, 2026 18:04 · 3 min read

Toronto Tempo's struggles are overshadowing an exciting frontcourt breakout — Jul 17, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Tempo forward Isabelle Harrison (21) during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Dream at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Tempo have lost three straight games and are desperate for the All-Star break, which has overshadowed Isabelle Harrison's crucial breakout for Toronto.

The Toronto Tempo limped into the All-Star break, losing eight of their last 10 games, after falling to the defending WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces 109-83. Heading into the break, the Tempo have been struggling immensely, with lackluster offense, injuries piling up, and continued season-long defensive deficiencies. With few positives remaining for the Tempo going into some time off, it’s worth highlighting the silver lining that Isabelle Harrison’s play has provided Toronto during such a tough stretch.

Harrison led the Tempo in scoring Monday night against Vegas, dropping a season-high 26 points on an efficient 72.7 percent shooting clip while also pulling in 11 rebounds and dishing out a pair of assists.

With a star-studded guard trio of Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, and Kiki Rice, the guard position was never a concern for Toronto—it was always the frontcourt. Outside of Nyara Sabally, the Tempo have struggled with center play as their lack of size, interior scoring, and rebounding has hurt them all season. This is why Harrison’s steady progression and true breakout has been such a massive win for Toronto in their inaugural season.

Isabelle Harrison has become Toronto’s biggest bright spot

All game, Harrison was matching up with the league’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, A’ja Wilson, and holding her own on both ends. Offensively, she created fits in the pick and roll, particularly on the short roll where she would stop and pop short twos. Defensively, she didn’t take the Wilson matchup all night, but in the early stages of the game she did a strong job limiting her.

Harrison made her first appearance for the Tempo against the Chicago Sky on June 7, returning from a thumb and hand injury she suffered in training camp. From her opening game, it was clear Harrison had the potential and skill to be a great fit and bring some much-needed juice to Toronto’s backline. On the season, the 32-year-old is averaging 13.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from three on just over two attempts. Harrison's efficiency is what makes her so special, as it’s not very common to see a frontcourt player score from the perimeter and have the soft touch she does.

While she isn’t a high-level defender, the finesse and ability to set a screen and either pop or roll bring a dynamic that outside of Harrison, Toronto simply doesn’t have.

Harrison has proven to be a massive positive despite the team's recent struggles, and Mabrey highlighted that when speaking to the media following Monday’s loss.

“She played great, and I think it gets skipped over because of the way we've been playing lately,” Mabrey said. “She had 26 and 11 against one of the best bigs in the world. So, we need to highlight that.”

Thankfully for the Tempo, the break is here, and they’ll have time to reevaluate and come up with a strong plan for how to break out of their recent struggles. But one player who shouldn’t be looking to change a thing she is doing right now is Izzy Harrison, as her breakout over her first 16 games in Toronto is giving fans something to be hopeful about.