Rookie Sydney Taylor’s Clutch Game-Winner Over No. 2 Valkyries Stuns Fans – “Absolutely Sick”

Sydney Taylor’s game-winner spoils Valkyries bench’s 21-point comeback attempt.

Rookie Sydney Taylor’s Clutch Game-Winner Over No. 2 Valkyries Stuns Fans – “Absolutely Sick”

Sydney Taylor (Image credits - Bleacher Report)

Friday night saw one of the best games of the 2026 WNBA campaign as the Chicago Sky took on the Golden State Valkyries at WinTrust Arena. The Sky registered their 15th win of the season in a closely fought game as they recorded a 73-70 victory over the Valks.

The win extended the Sky’s winning streak to three games as they mount a late surge toward the playoff spots. They sit at the tenth spot in the standings and improved their record to 15-22. Meanwhile, the Valks suffered consecutive defeats but still hold the second spot. However, they are now five games behind the table-toppers, the Minnesota Lynx.

When the game was tied at 70-70 in the dying seconds of the game, Sydney Taylor hit a 25-footer over Veronica Burton. It was her fourth three-pointer of the game and her most important one of the night. The home crowd roared, and her teammates swarmed her after the game-clinching shot.

Sydney Taylor has turned her career around at the age of 25. She was undrafted and played two seasons in Europe. She signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Sky and made her WNBA debut this year.

For the second time this season, Taylor hit a buzzer-beater to lift the Sky to victory. She has been a huge spark for her team as they have been struggling this season after trading away their star player, Angel Reese, this year.

The game-winner was a big shock to the Valks as they nearly pulled off a mammoth comeback from 21 points down. The Valks have been on fire this season, but their fourth loss in their last 10 games has raised some questions as they head into the postseason.

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Fans left stunned after Sydney Taylor hit a buzzer-beater to beat the Valks

Sydney Taylor started the season as a role player as she was restricted to the bench. However, her performances saw her start for her team over the last two months, after 14 games into the season. Since her insertion into the starting lineup, the Sky have gone 10-9 in their last 19 games.

Following her clutch three-pointer to win the game, fans took to social media and were left stunned.

Fans heaped praise on the rookie after her second game-winning shot of the season. All the Valks could do was watch and soak in a bad loss.

Sydney Taylor on her game-winning three

Sydney Taylor became the first undrafted rookie in league history to hit a game-winner when the Sky took out the Las Vegas Aces earlier this month. Now, she has done it twice, and both game-winners came against teams that are currently second and third in the standings.

Sydney Taylor
Sydney Taylor (Image credits – I Talk Hoops/X)

After the win, Taylor shared her thoughts on her clutch three-pointer and her team’s momentum heading forward.

It was crazy because I’m on a minutes restriction. I’m thrown in the fire in the last five minutes and I just don’t want to take anybody at the rhythm. But at the same time, they believe in me so I’m just doing me. It’s still a chance for us to get into the playoffs. This win streak will hopefully bring us more momentum going into the rest of the season.

Sydney Taylor in her court side interview

Taylor ended her night with 14 points in 18 minutes and made four out of her six three-pointers. She is currently averaging 14.5 points in 30 appearances this season. It is still a race for Sky to reach the playoffs; however, they just might be playing their best basketball of the season at the moment.

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