WNBA coach provides updates on two long-term injured players

The Toronto Tempo are in the midst of their inaugural season, boasting a 10-16 record with the WNBA All-Star Game now in the rearview mirror. Currently 10th in the playoff race, the Tempo will need to make a valiant push if they want to reach the postseason — but with only 18 games left on their schedule, time is thin.

That’s what makes the returns of stars Brittney Sykes and Kiki Rice all the more important. The two have combined for just 25 games played, and neither has played in a WNBA game since June 16.

Sykes has been sidelined for nearly a month and a half at this point after suffering a left plantar fascia tear in a game against the Indiana Fever. Rice has been out nearly two whole months at this point after an ankle sprain against the New York Liberty on June 3.

The All-Star break gave the team some much-needed recovery time, and head coach Sandy Brondello provided an update on Rice’s availability for the immediate future.

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese arrives for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese arrives for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

Team Spoon guard Courtney Williams (10) arrives for the 2026 WNBA All Star Game at United Center.

Rice is practicing with the team now, and while Brondello did say that Rice “looked good,” Brondello is still unsure how Rice will respond to practice.

SportsNet’s Ian Finlayson reports that Brondello does expect Rice to return soon, however.

Not yet. Though there were initial concerns that Sykes might have torn her Achilles and been sidelined for the remainder of the season, those concerns have since been ruled out.

Sykes is expected to return from her left plantar fascia tear, but there is currently no timeline or information on when that return may happen.

The Tempo will head to Minnesota to face the Lynx on Tuesday, July 28 at 8 p.m. ET.

The WNBA Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 27.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: WNBA coach provides updates on two long-term injured players