The Portland Fire Offense Flourishes for a Franchise Record in Points as Bridget Carleton and Serah Williams Return to Canada
The Portland Fire celebrated in the locker room after a 98-80 win over the Toronto Tempo for their first road win of the season.
The Portland Fire finally put it all together on Saturday night vs the Toronto Tempo. The potential of Alex Sarama’s system was on full display as the Fire shot 50% from the field and 48% from three. The Fire continue to shock the WNBA world and defy the expectations put on them as they move to 3-3 to begin the year. Alex Sarama said it was “just great team basketball tonight” as he smiled and processed the win during the post game press conference.
It was a full team effort from Portland on their way to a franchise record in scoring during 99-80 win over their expansion sister, the Toronto Tempo. The ball was moving and the offense was flowing, leading to 5 players in double figures and a team season high 24 assists. The Fire started off slow but quickly found their footing behind a strong start and great game overall by Megan Gustafson who ended with 14 points (6 of those coming in the first quarter). Rebounding has been a huge issue throughout this early season for Portland (last in the WNBA going into this game), but the Fire were able to out-rebound the Tempo 12-7 in the first quarter, helping them keep the game tied 16-16 going into the second quarter.
The second quarter was the beginning of the Carla Leite and Teja Oblak show. Teja Oblak, the 35-year-old rookie from Slovenia, made her WNBA debut playing backup point guard behind Carla Leite and it couldn't have gone any better. In just 17 minutes, Oblak recorded an impressive 9 assists as she proved quickly why she was signed to a full contract. She showed her vast experience through her timely passing and decision-making at the point guard position, providing excellent spacing and elevating our shot quality whenever she was on the court. Sarama praised Oblak in the post game press conference:
“Nine assists for Teja…That was really special just to see the playmaking, the pass first guards really helped us unlock a new level for our offense tonight. That’s I think why we had a franchise record 99 points.”
Carla Leite, scoring 8 points in the second quarter, found her rhythm and returned to her early season form pre-ankle injury. Leite continued to establish herself a consistent offensive engine in the WNBA as she recorded 15 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds in just 22 minutes on Saturday night. Leite, at just 22 years old, is able to average 15 ppg, 4.8 apg, and 2.8 rpg this season majorly due to her incredible ability to break down a defense and get to the basket at will. When she drives to the basket, most of the time it leads to a layup (often an and-one), a foul leading to free throws, or a wide open pass to a teammate as the defense collapses in on her. Carla Leite gets to the rim so often that her 6.3 free throws made per game is tied for 4th in the WNBA with Alyssa Thomas, who has made a Hall of Fame career based off her ability to get to the basket and draw fouls. It was due to Carla Leite and Teja Oblak’s first half effort that the Fire found themselves tied 44-44 going into the half despite a slow start offensively and a scorching hot Marina Mabrey.
Bridget Carleton provided a steady offensive presence throughout the night, finishing with 15 points on another efficient shooting night (50% from the field and three). However, it was Emily Engstler who was the star of the third quarter. On top of her astonishing 6 stocks (2 STL + 4 BLK) and 7 rebounds, she scored a season high 16 points, with 9 of those coming in the third quarter as the Fire began to create some separation. Emily has begun to put things together this season, she’s now averaging a career high 8.2 points per game, 50% from three, and 1.6 blocks per game (7th in the WNBA this season). If she continues to develop and progress within this system, she could become a legit all defensive team type player.
The fourth quarter, which the Fire won convincingly 33-19, was the first win where the Fire fans could take a deep breath and celebrate early. Bridget Carleton and her family will be celebrating as she gets to play and celebrate a WNBA win in her home country for the first time. However, Carelton wasn’t the only hometown hero, Serah Williams also has ties to Canada and more specifically the city of Toronto. Williams not only lives in and has family in Toronto, she moved to Toronto from Brooklyn in 2018 and played high school basketball in Ontario, Canada for Niagra Prep. In post practice interviews yesterday, Serah said she’s “happy to be in Toronto”, mentioning she’s going to have “too many” friends and family at the game and had even had experience playing in the Tempo’s gym in high school. Williams was able to put on a solid show for her hometown fans, scoring 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 stocks (2 STL + 1 BLK) on 50% field goal shooting in just 14 minutes on the court. Thanks in part to the minutes of Serah Williams and a classic Carla Leite fourth quarter takeover, the Fire were able to coast off into the Canadian sunset with an 18 point victory and their first road win of the season.
Watch Alex Sarama and the team celebrate their first win on the road!
Tonight’s MVPs:
Carla Leite, Teja Oblak, and Emily Engstler.
Box Score:
Next Game:
Portland Fire (3-3) at New York Liberty (3-2), 5PM Monday at Barclays Center (Live TV: Peacock/NBCSN/Rose City SportsNet)
