The Chicago Sky closed out the week with a second-consecutive victory at home.
Fresh off defeating the Seattle Storm on Wednesday, Chicago came away victorious on Friday, 96-82, over the Los Angeles Sparks.
After a particularly slow start, the Sky took command with a flourish in the second quarter. They outscored the Sparks 33-19 and while LA mounted a run here and there, Chicago never relinquished the momentum.
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Ultimately, the Sky prevailed thanks to a few key tangibles. They were attacking the basket and spacing the floor. Plus, they held it together on defense and relied on each other’s strengths. Chicago also scored 14 points off 17 LA turnovers.
Chicago’s main catalyst was Sydney Taylor, who continues to bring excitement and be a spark. She finished with a game-high 19 points, going 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-7 from the 3-point line. As Taylor shared after the game, 3-point shooting skill set that she’s always prioritized, even if it doesn’t immediately meet the eye. Taylor emphasized:
I’ve always been confident in shooting from the 3-point line, regardless if I go 0-for-8 or 8-for-8 from 3.
In the process, Taylor also reached the 300-point milestone in her first WNBA season. But to her, it is only a number and not the most important part of the game. As she put it:
Just another number. I’m grateful for it, but, you know, not worried about that right now, you know, worried about winning, 300, 200, whatever it is, just trying to win the game.
Kamilla Cardoso and Azurá Stevens held it down in the paint and on the blocks, going up against Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby. Cardoso came away with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Stevens finished with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
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Natasha Cloud, who went scoreless in the first half, picked it up in the second as she finished with 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Even as the Sky closed in on the victory, Cloud stayed put on the floor, even as head coach Tyler Marsh attempted to pull her out. Marsh shared praise for Cloud after the game, noting:
She did whatever was needed of her tonight, played the entire fourth, started to take her out at the end, she didn’t want to come out, but that’s the kind of competitor that she is.
Jacy Sheldon received the celebratory dog chain from her teammates after the win. She scored 14 points with three rebounds and two assists. Courtney Vandersloot, who was temporarily out due to an apparent illness, played 15 minutes and scored nine points.
