Shades of last year's controversy with Caitlin Clark were reminiscent when Toronto Tempo forward Marina Mabrey clashed with Connecticut Sun's Diamond Miller.

The moment occurred during overtime, when Miller snatched the ball off Mabrey as both players got into a scuffle, including a war of words. Sun's Saniya Rivers and the referee had to physically pull apart the two to prevent any further controversy.

In the end, Mabrey got the last laugh in overtime as the Tempo (7-5) beat the Sun (2-12) 106-102. This was the fourth time the Tempo were on the right side of the result in five games.

This was not the first time in Mabrey's career that she was a part of an incident like this.

Last year, Mabrey made headlines when she forcefully shoved Caitlin Clark to the ground during a heated contest in the game between the Connecticut Sun and the Indiana Fever. Mabrey was with the Sun before she arrived in Toronto.

However, she later admitted this year in the Bird's Eye View podcast alongside Sue Bird that she had crossed a line.

Mabrey got candid about the reputation she’s built among her peers for her fiery attitude and demeanor on the court. Even then, the baller said she knows when she's gone "too far."

"I know when I went too far with things. It’s like shameful. It’s like, ‘Really, Marina? That was ridiculous," she said.

"That was too far, that was too much," she added, referencing the altercation with Clark.

While it remains uncertain whether Mabrey will state her scuffle with Miller, her reputation for a fiery attitude remains intact.

While on-court interactions like these keep things interesting, the overtime win against the Sun saw the Tempo take an important win in the Commissioner's Cup, thanks to Brittney Sykes.

Brittney Sykes Ties Career-High Points in Overtime Victory

Sykes scored 38 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field, tying her career-high points in a single game. Meanwhile, Mabrey added 21 points against her former team.

Mabrey sank a mid-range jumper to forge a 102-102 tie with 1:17 remaining in overtime. She then corralled a defensive rebound following a missed 3-pointer, and Sykes added a driving layup and a pair of free throws to cap the scoring.

With the Tempo's record currently standing at 7-5, an overtime victory is the perfect time to gain momentum in the Commissioner's Cup and try to win the next stretch of games.

The Toronto Tempo takes on the Washington Mystics on Friday night.

So, do you think the Tempo are real contenders to win the Commissioner's Cup? Let us know your favorites in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy