Chicago Sky Stun Golden State Valkyries with Late Heroics, 73-70

• by Shimanta Das
• August 23, 2026

In a dramatic showdown on Friday night, the Chicago Sky erased a 21-point deficit to defeat the Golden State Valkyries 73-70, thanks to a clutch pull-up 3-pointer by Sydney Taylor with just 1.6 seconds remaining. The victory marked Chicago’s season-high third straight win, while Golden State suffered its second consecutive loss despite holding a commanding lead earlier in the game.

The Valkyries, who remain the second seed in the Western Conference with a 25-11 record, started sluggishly, prompting coach Natalie Nakase to rely heavily on her bench for most of the second half. The reserves sparked a comeback, and with about a minute left, Chen popped in a 30-foot 3-pointer to give Golden State a three-point lead. She then extended the advantage with a slick layup over a contest after Chicago scored, seemingly putting the Valkyries in control.

However, the Sky refused to fold. With six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Rachel Banham drilled consecutive 3-pointers to put Chicago back on top 63-59. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, setting the stage for Taylor’s game-winning shot. Despite the loss, Nakase ruled out any changes to the starting lineup, emphasizing confidence in her squad’s ability to bounce back.

Golden State will look to regroup as they face the Lynx on Tuesday, with the game scheduled for 12:00 AM and the Valkyries listed as 5-point underdogs. The Sky, meanwhile, continue to build momentum, showcasing resilience and depth that could make them a formidable force in the WNBA playoffs.