Toronto Tempo's epic losing streak saw them dumped from playoff contention

On July 12, the Toronto Tempo secured the 10th win of their debut season in the WNBA.

The league's first Canadian franchise had just knocked off the New York Liberty, 93-91, and remained firmly in the hunt for an improbable playoff spot.

Five weeks later, the Tempo is still searching for win number 11.

The Tempo on Wednesday night lost to the Washington Mystics -- which mathematically eliminated Toronto from the playoffs.

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The 93-82 loss at CareFirst Arena marked the 12th consecutive loss for Sandy Brondello's side, which is getting dangerously close to the all-time record losing streak for an expansion team.

That record, for now, is held by the 2008 Atlanta Dream, which dropped 17 consecutive games on their way to a 4-30 record.

The Tempo's season took a turn for the worse when All-Star guard Brittney Sykes suffered a foot injury in a loss to the Indiana Fever on June 16.

Sykes was out for the next two months, only returning Tuesday night after missing 18 games.

Toronto lost 15 of those 18 games and continued to struggle on the defensive end. Perhaps true to their name, the Tempo ranks 15th in points allowed per game and 15th in defensive efficiency.

Despite an All-Star season from Marina Mabrey and promising displays from highly-touted rookie Kiki Rice, the Tempo just couldn't get back on track.

Fortunately for Canadian basketball fans, the Tempo's losing streak -- which has dropped Toronto's record to 10-25 -- has put the franchise in great position to land a top pick in next year's loaded draft.

The Tempo has the second-best odds at picking first overall, with a 24 percent shot. It's just what the franchise needs as it continues growing into a contender under Brondello's stewardship.

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