CHICAGO, July 17, 2026 — WNBA rookie Sydney Taylor delivered a 27-point, 8-assist performance on Friday, leading the Chicago Sky to a 96-82 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. The win overshadowed a historic night for Sparks veteran Nneka Ogwumike, who became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
Taylor, a first-round pick out of Virginia Tech, shot 11-of-18 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range. Her 14-point third quarter turned a 53-49 deficit into a 72-65 Sky lead. The rookie also added 6 rebounds and 3 steals, marking her fourth consecutive game with 20-plus points.
Ogwumike, 36, scored 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, surpassing Lisa Leslie’s franchise record with her 10,142nd career point. The 12-time All-Star also grabbed 10 rebounds for her 145th career double-double. A video clip of her smooth baseline jumper—posted by ESPN—highlighted her enduring skill.
The Sky (14-8) outscored the Sparks (9-13) 28-14 in the fourth quarter. Chicago’s defense forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 23 points. Forward Alana Smith added 18 points and 9 rebounds, while guard Dana Evans contributed 15 points and 10 assists.
Taylor’s emergence has reshaped the Rookie of the Year race. She now averages 19.2 points per game, second among rookies only to Indiana’s Caitlin Clark (21.1). The Sky have won five of their last six games, climbing to fourth in the WNBA standings.
The loss dropped the Sparks to 12th place. Ogwumike’s milestone, while celebrated, could not mask the team’s defensive struggles. LA has allowed 90-plus points in three of its last four games.
“She’s a special talent,” Ogwumike said of Taylor in a post-game interview. “The league is in good hands.”
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was Sydney Taylor’s stat line in the game?
- A: Taylor recorded 27 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals, shooting 11-of-18 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range.
- Q: What record did Nneka Ogwumike break?
- A: Ogwumike became the Los Angeles Sparks’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Lisa Leslie with her 10,142nd career point.
Extended Reading
According to Sports Page Magazine, Taylor’s 27-point outburst marked the highest scoring game by a Sky rookie since 2023. The publication noted that her clutch shooting and defensive energy have made her a focal point of Chicago’s playoff push. The full recap, including Ogwumike’s historic night and the game’s key momentum shifts, is available at the magazine’s website .
