Sydney Taylor delivered the latest proof that she has become one of the Chicago Sky's most important players, hitting a game-winning three-point shot in a 73-70 win over the Golden State Valkyries.
That finish capped a strong run for Taylor in the 2026 season, when she had already played 29 games and averaged 14.5 points per game while shooting 45.5% from the floor and 36% from deep. For a rookie who started her WNBA journey as a rotational piece in Tyler Marsh's blueprint, the production has made her a rare bright spot for Chicago.
A steady rise for Chicago
Taylor's emergence stands out even more because of the way the Sky have been built. Jeff Pagliocca traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream and then opted to construct a team around Kamilla Cardoso. In that setting, Taylor's ability to produce consistent offense has given Chicago a valuable backcourt option and a needed sense of stability.
The result against Golden State also showed why Taylor's role has grown. A game-winning three-pointer is the kind of shot that can define a young player's first season, especially on a team looking for reliable answers. Chicago has had its share of questionable decisions, but Taylor's development is a feel-good story the Sky can point to as they try to move forward.
What it means going forward
For the Sky, Taylor's numbers suggest this is not a one-game flash. Her scoring efficiency and perimeter shooting have made her a legitimate weapon over the course of the 2026 season, and the late-game shot against the Valkyries only strengthens that case. If Chicago is going to keep building around Kamilla Cardoso, Taylor looks like a player who can help make that plan work.
And for a rookie who graduated from Louisville, it is a significant step: from a rotational role to a critical shot-maker in one of Chicago's biggest wins of the season.
