The Chicago Sky defeated the Golden State Valkyries 73-70 in the final seconds of the game in Wintrust Arena on Friday, Aug. 21. This victory marks the Sky’s first three-game win streak since 2023. The Sky are also now 9-1 in their last 10 Wintrust Arena games.

For the second time this season, All-Rookie guard Sydney Taylor sank the game-winning shot from deep with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation. The undrafted rookie secured 14 points while shooting 55.6% from the field and 66.7% from beyond the arc. In her standout performance, Taylor became the league’s leader in three-pointers made by a rookie this season.

Nastasha Cloud led the team in scoring for the second straight game, finishing with 17 points while setting a season high with five three-pointers on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting performance from beyond the arc. Cloud continued to stuff the stat sheet with seven rebounds, four assists, and one block.

Center Kamilla Cardoso notched 14 points and 10 rebounds in tonight’s game, marking her 14th double-double of the season, fueling the Sky’s success on both sides of the court. Cardoso also contributed four assists and tied her season high of 11 free-throw attempts. Five-time All-Star Courtney Vandersloot added 12 points while dishing out five assists.

Veteran Azurá Stevens was essential in the paint, pulling down nine rebounds and notching three blocks. Rachel Banham contributed a key seven points, two assists and two rebounds off the bench, nailing two of the biggest threes of the Sky’s season by sinking two threes in the fourth quarter that brought the Sky from down 59-57 to up 63-59.

The Valkyries saw four players reach double figures in tonight’s matchup, with three players achieving this off the bench. Forward Laeticia Amihere led the scoring charge off the bench, registering 16 points and six rebounds on an impressive 7-for-7 mark from the field. Janelle Salaün tallied 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and nailed four of her five attempts from the charity stripe. Guard Veronica Burton added 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.