The Game That Changed Everything: Tempos Mabrey’s 53-Point Masterpiece

Updated June 26, 2026 8 min read

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The Game That Changed Everything: Tempos Mabrey’s 53-Point Masterpiece Ties WNBA Record

TL;DR: On June 25, 2026, Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo delivered one of the most dominant individual performances in WNBA history, scoring 53 points and draining 9 three-pointers to tie both the WNBA single-game scoring record and the single-game three-point record in a blowout victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. The performance instantly cemented Mabrey among the greatest offensive talents the league has ever seen.

Marina Mabrey rewrote the WNBA record books on Wednesday night. The Toronto Tempo guard erupted for 53 points in a commanding rout of the Los Angeles Sparks, tying Liz Cambage’s legendary single-game scoring record that had stood since 2018. Her historic outburst also included 9 three-pointers, matching the league’s single-game record from beyond the arc. It was, by nearly every measure, one of the most breathtaking offensive displays in professional women’s basketball history.

Quick Answer

Marina Mabrey scored 53 points for the Toronto Tempo against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 25, 2026, tying the WNBA’s all-time single-game scoring record previously held by Liz Cambage. She also hit 9 three-pointers, tying that record as well. The Tempo won the game in a blowout, and Mabrey called the performance “a dream come true.”

Key Takeaways

Marina Mabrey scored 53 points, tying Liz Cambage’s WNBA single-game scoring record set on July 17, 2018
Mabrey drained 9 three-pointers, tying the WNBA single-game record for made threes
The Toronto Tempo routed the Los Angeles Sparks in the historic contest
The performance is already being called one of the greatest individual games in WNBA history
Mabrey described the achievement as “a dream come true” after the game

How Marina Mabrey Tied the WNBA Single-Game Scoring Record

Mabrey was unconscious from the opening tip. According to ESPN, she attacked from all three levels from the start, but it was her lethal three-point shooting that separated her from every other player on the floor. She finished with 9 made three-pointers, each one pushing her closer to immortality.

Industry data indicates that scoring 50 or more points in a WNBA game is one of the rarest achievements in the sport. Only a handful of players have ever reached the 50-point plateau, making Mabrey’s 53-point explosion a milestone that places her in elite historical company.

According to CBS Sports, Mabrey was emotional after the final buzzer, telling reporters: “A dream come true.” The moment carried extra weight considering the path she has traveled throughout her career.

Breaking Down the 53-Point Performance

What made Mabrey’s scoring masterpiece so remarkable was not just the volume but the efficiency and variety of her offensive attack. Research shows that record-setting performances often come on high-volume, low-efficiency nights. Mabrey’s game was the opposite — she was efficient and decisive with every touch.

Three-Point Shooting That Rewrote History

The centerpiece of Mabrey’s historic night was her perimeter shooting. She connected on 9 three-pointers, tying the WNBA record for made threes in a single game. Each basket from beyond the arc came at critical moments that kept the Tempo’s momentum rolling and the Sparks’ defense scrambling.

Yahoo Sports reported that the Toronto Tempo’s offensive system was built to create open looks for Mabrey, and on this night, the execution was flawless. Her teammates recognized early that she had the hot hand and made it a priority to feed her the ball in rhythm.

Full-Court Dominance Against the Sparks

Los Angeles had no answer for Mabrey’s scoring. The Sparks’ defensive schemes — whether they played her straight up, sent double teams, or switched on screens — all proved futile. Mabrey exploited every coverage with a mix of pull-up threes, step-back jumpers, and drives to the rim.

The 53-point eruption came in the context of a dominant team performance. The Tempo routed the Sparks, and Mabrey’s individual brilliance was the engine that powered the blowout from start to finish.

The WNBA Single-Game Scoring Record: A Brief History

Mabrey’s 53 points tie a record that has stood for nearly eight years. Here is how the all-time single-game scoring leaderboard looks in the WNBA:

Player	Points	Team	Opponent	Date
Liz Cambage	53	Dallas Wings	New York Liberty	July 17, 2018
Marina Mabrey	53	Toronto Tempo	Los Angeles Sparks	June 25, 2026
Rhyne Howard	49	Atlanta Dream	—	2024

Cambage set the original record during the 2018 season while playing for the Dallas Wings, a performance that was considered untouchable for years. Mabrey now shares that summit, and given her scoring ability, she could become the sole record holder before the season ends.

Who Is Marina Mabrey?

Marina Mabrey has established herself as one of the most prolific scorers in the WNBA since entering the league. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2019, Mabrey has played for multiple WNBA franchises and has consistently been one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons.

Her shooting range, scoring instinct, and competitive fire have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest guards in basketball history. The 53-point masterpiece against the Sparks represents the culmination of years of development and a player reaching the peak of her powers.

From Role Player to Record Tying Superstar

Mabrey’s journey to tying the WNBA scoring record was not a straight line. She evolved from a complementary piece on championship-contending rosters into a primary offensive option with the Toronto Tempo. That transition allowed her to unleash the full scope of her scoring talent on a nightly basis.

The Toronto Tempo, as an expansion franchise, built their roster around Mabrey’s ability to create offense. That bet paid off spectacularly on June 25, 2026, when she delivered the most points scored in a single WNBA game in nearly a decade.

What This Means for the Toronto Tempo and the WNBA

The historic performance has major implications for both the Tempo franchise and the league at large. According to The Guardian, the game has drawn massive international attention to the WNBA and to Mabrey specifically.

A Franchise-Defining Moment for the Tempo

For a young franchise like the Toronto Tempo, having a player deliver a record-tying performance is invaluable. It creates a signature moment that defines the team’s identity and draws fans to the arena. Mabrey’s 53-point game will be replayed and referenced for as long as the franchise exists.

The game also demonstrates the Tempo’s commitment to building a competitive, entertaining product. A record-tying performance in a blowout win over a established franchise like the Sparks sends a clear message to the rest of the league.

Increased Visibility for Women’s Basketball

The timing of Mabrey’s historic night could not be better for the WNBA. The league continues to experience unprecedented growth in viewership, attendance, and cultural relevance. A 53-point game — tied to a record that captivates casual and hardcore fans alike — adds another landmark moment to the sport’s rapidly growing narrative.

Fox News and other major outlets covered the performance extensively, signaling that Mabrey’s achievement transcended the sports pages and entered mainstream conversation.

What Are the Most Points Ever Scored in a WNBA Game?

The most points ever scored in a single WNBA game is 53, shared by Liz Cambage (2018) and now Marina Mabrey (2026). Before Cambage’s 2018 explosion, the record was held by Riquna Williams, who scored 51 points in 2013. Mabrey’s 53-point effort makes her one of only two players in league history to reach that threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points did Marina Mabrey score to tie the WNBA record?

Marina Mabrey scored 53 points for the Toronto Tempo against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 25, 2026, tying the WNBA’s all-time single-game scoring record held by Liz Cambage.

What is the WNBA single-game scoring record?

The WNBA single-game scoring record is 53 points, originally set by Liz Cambage of the Dallas Wings on July 17, 2018. Marina Mabrey tied that record on June 25, 2026.

How many three-pointers did Mabrey make in the record-tying game?

Mabrey made 9 three-pointers in the game, also tying the WNBA single-game record for made three-point shots in a single contest.

Which team did Mabrey break the record against?

Mabrey scored her record-tying 53 points against the Los Angeles Sparks in a dominant Toronto Tempo victory.

What did Marina Mabrey say after the game?

According to CBS Sports, Mabrey called the historic performance “a dream come true” while speaking to reporters after the game. The emotional quote resonated with fans across the basketball world.

Who else has scored 50 or more points in a WNBA game?

Only a very small number of players have scored 50 or more points in a WNBA game. Liz Cambage (53 in 2018), Marina Mabrey (53 in 2026), and Riquna Williams (51 in 2013) are among the few to reach that milestone in league history.

Conclusion

Marina Mabrey’s 53-point performance against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 25, 2026, stands as one of the greatest individual achievements in WNBA history. By tying Liz Cambage’s single-game scoring record and matching the single-game three-point record with 9 made threes, Mabrey delivered a masterpiece that will define the Toronto Tempo franchise and captivate basketball fans worldwide. For more information about WNBA records and historic performances, explore our coverage of WNBA season highlights and Toronto Tempo game recaps.

The Bottom Line

Tempos Mabrey’s 53-point masterpiece against the Sparks was not just a record-tying statistical achievement — it was a statement performance that announced the Toronto Tempo as a legitimate force and cemented Marina Mabrey as one of the most dangerous scorers in women’s basketball. The game gave the WNBA another iconic moment in a season filled with them, and Mabrey’s name now sits alongside the greatest offensive performances the league has ever witnessed.