Chicago Sky W vs Golden State Valkyries W

Chicago dominated the opening half, building a 38-26 lead at the break behind red-hot shooting. Natasha Cloud, who finished 5-for-5 from three-point range, led the Sky with 17 points while Kamilla Cardoso posted 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Sky stretched their lead to 21 points early in the third quarter before Golden State mounted a furious response. Laeticia Amihere scored a career-high 16 points on a perfect 7-for-7 from the field, and Janelle Salaun added 13 points as the Valkyries erupted for a 25-11 third quarter to take a 51-49 lead into the final period.

The fourth quarter swung back and forth. Kaitlyn Chen drained a three-pointer and followed with a layup to give Golden State a 70-67 lead with 46.3 seconds left. Taylor answered with a straightaway three about 12 seconds later to tie the game at 70-70. After Chen missed a floater, Chicago called timeout and let Taylor isolate.

Taylor dribbled down the clock, stepped back and hit a contested side-step three over Veronica Burton's outstretched arm with 1.6 seconds remaining. Chen's desperation heave at the buzzer fell short. The shot capped a 14-point night for Taylor, who delivered the decisive blow after Chicago had squandered a commanding lead.

The game was also interrupted briefly in the third quarter when objects were thrown onto the court — the second consecutive WNBA game halted for the same reason after Thursday's incident during Atlanta's win over the Sparks in Los Angeles.

Natasha Cloud (CHI): 17 points, a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range. Cloud was the engine of Chicago's early offense and kept the Sky afloat during Golden State's third-quarter surge.

Kamilla Cardoso (CHI): 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, anchoring the paint at both ends.

Sydney Taylor (CHI): 14 points, including the game-winning three with 1.6 seconds left. Her shot-making in the clutch defined the night.

Laeticia Amihere (GSV): A career-high 16 points on a flawless 7-for-7 from the field. Amihere's efficiency off the bench sparked the Valkyries' massive comeback.

Gabby Williams (GSV): Left the game about 2½ minutes into the second half with an apparent injury and did not return. The All-Star finished with two points on 0-for-6 shooting in 14 minutes.

Chicago shot 50% from three-point range (10-for-20) compared to Golden State's 30.4% (7-for-23), which proved the decisive margin in a three-point game. The Valkyries dominated the third quarter 25-11, flipping a 38-26 deficit into a 51-49 lead — a 17-point swing that exposed Chicago's vulnerability when its perimeter shooting cooled. Golden State shot 54.8% from the field in the second half after managing just 34.3% before the break.

The Sky (15-22) have won three straight for the first time this season but remain six games behind Dallas for the eighth and final playoff spot with seven games remaining. Every win is essential at this stage.

The Valkyries (25-11) fall to 25-11, a game ahead of Las Vegas (24-12) and 1½ games clear of Indiana (23-12) in the race for the top seed. The loss stings more given Gabby Williams' injury status heading into a crucial road trip.

Next up: The Valkyries visit Minnesota on Monday, August 24. The Sky host Indiana on Sunday, August 23.

Chicago executed flawlessly in the first half and survived an epic collapse thanks to Taylor's ice-cold shot-making. The Valkyries showed why they're contenders — erasing a 21-point deficit on the road — but Williams' early exit and defensive breakdown on the final possession leaves them with real questions to answer.