Marina Mabrey tied the WNBA record for most points in a game (53) and the most 3-pointers made in a game (9) earlier this week.
Marina Mabrey Shines Against Sparks; Ties Two WNBA Records
The veteran guard is having a career-high season thus far with her new team, the Toronto Tempo. Mabrey has become a leader for the Tempo, drawing on her seven years of league experience.
A Record-Tying Night
On Thursday night against the Los Angeles Sparks, Mabrey scored 19 points in the first quarter. From this alone, it was bound to be a special night for the Tempo guard.
This season, Mabrey has the top three most points scored in a single quarter. In a game against the Connecticut Sun, Mabrey had 21 points in a quarter, and 18 points in a quarter against the Washington Mystics. The guard was shooting at an efficient rate throughout the game against the Sparks. She tied the WNBA record with 53 points and nine three-pointers in the game, matching Liz Cambage (2018) and A’ja Wilson (2023).
Mabrey is the sixth player in WNBA history to knock down nine triples. Rhyne Howard, Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, and Kelsey Mitchell are the others to do so. Mabrey shot 60.7 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three against the Sparks.
Push for First All-Star Selection
Despite becoming a well-known player, Mabrey has shockingly never been named an All-Star in her career. Her recent standout performances have proven she deserves her first All-Star selection. Before this record-tying night, Mabrey had another career night when she put up 37 points and nine three-pointers against her former team, the Connecticut Sun. Her three-point shooting was efficient yet again, shooting 75 percent on the night.
One of the skills competitions during All-Star weekend is the three-point shooting contest. Mabrey currently leads the WNBA with 64 three-pointers made on the season. During the All-Star Game, an AT&T logo is set up far beyond the three-point line. Any shot made from this spot is worth four points. With the way that Mabrey shoots the three-ball, it would be great to see her participate in the festivities this year.
Growth as a Player
Mabrey has played for four other teams, the Los Angeles Sparks, Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky, and Connecticut Sun, before joining the Toronto Tempo. There was always a main star player on each of these teams during Mabrey’s time with them.
As an expansion team, the Tempo were able to draft any unprotected players. The Connecticut Sun did not protect Mabrey. As an unprotected player, Toronto selected Mabrey in the expansion draft.
Having a fresh start with the Tempo is one of the best things that could have happened for Mabrey. She is on a team with no history and can be the player to help write it. Toronto head coach Sandy Brondello has figured out a way to make Mabrey the main scorer while also a key contributor to the team’s overall success.
Already this season, Mabrey has had nine games scoring 20 or more points. She has broken her own career-high in points twice, first with 37 and then with 53. For her career, Mabrey averages 13.2 points per game. This season, she is averaging well above that with 21.2 points per game.
What Comes Next
The rate at which Mabrey is scoring this season could put her as a potential MVP candidate. The guard has a good chance at making her All-Star weekend debut. With the leadership from Mabrey, the Toronto Tempo can make history by becoming the second expansion team in the WNBA to make the playoffs in its inaugural season.
Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
