{"id":673857,"date":"2026-05-30T09:14:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T09:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/673857\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T09:14:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T09:14:16","slug":"is-sydney-taylor-the-answer-to-the-skys-struggling-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/673857\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Sydney Taylor the answer to the Sky’s struggling offense?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sky<\/a> rookie Sydney Taylor has shown she can light it up off the bench. The question now is whether coach Tyler Marsh will grant her a bigger role.<\/p>\n

The offense floundered in an 79-58 loss Friday against the Lynx at Wintrust Arena. The Sky have dropped four games in a row since losing leading scorer Rickea Jackson to a season-ending torn ACL.<\/p>\n

So far, however, Marsh appears hesitant to fully embrace Taylor as the answer. After erupting for a team-high 27 points Wednesday against the Tempo, Taylor played only eight minutes in the first half against the Lynx.<\/p>\n

Marsh said before the game that he thinks Taylor can be an answer \u2018\u2018to some degree\u2019\u2019 for the loss of Jackson but that she\u2019s still learning to play within his system and that there\u2019s more to the equation than just scoring.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Rickea is tough shoes to fill for anyone,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u2018\u2018We\u2019ve got to make that up in all areas where we can, on both ends of the floor.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

The Sky did tighten up their defense, holding the league-leading Lynx to fewer than 80 points. Defense has been the team\u2019s calling card, so it makes sense that a microwave scorer isn\u2019t necessarily Marsh\u2019s first priority in the rotation.<\/p>\n

Plus, Marsh is right that no one player will replace Jackson.<\/p>\n

But the Sky do need to start getting creative offensively, at least until they\u2019re fully healthy.<\/p>\n

Against the Lynx, none of their key weapons \u2014 Kamilla Cardoso, Azura Stevens or Natasha Cloud \u2014 got going early. The passing was sloppy. They made only five of their 30 three-pointers.<\/p>\n

Taylor can help give them a different look.<\/p>\n

She has a filthy crossover and a jumper so serene you might get caught admiring it while it\u2019s happening in your face. Most important, on a team Marsh says passes up too many shots, she\u2019s always hunting for hers.<\/p>\n

Her play made an impression on Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. She read her players a stat \u2014 that Taylor had taken 22 shots in 23 minutes against the Tempo \u2014 to motivate them to defend her.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018She has a real knack for putting the ball in the hole,\u2019\u2019 Reeve said. \u201cShe\u2019s unafraid. She can change a game.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018You talk about her, [but] it\u2019s completely different when all of a sudden you get her on the court. You think you\u2019re near her, and she\u2019s shooting it.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Taylor played professionally in Poland before the Sky picked her up, and she has taken advantage of being relatively unknown in the WNBA.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018That\u2019s a perk of being a rookie: They\u2019re not too familiar with my game,\u2019\u2019 she said at the shootaround Friday morning. \u2018\u2018They were three, four or five feet off of me. I\u2019m not used to that.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

But the Lynx adjusted. Taylor took only two shots in the first half before sinking her first in the third quarter. She finished with seven points and four assists in 19 minutes.<\/p>\n

Overall, she acknowledged she\u2019s still figuring out how to fit her game to Marsh\u2019s system and learn what he wants.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I\u2019m used to being a heavy-scoring guard overseas, so [I\u2019m] still trying to find that balance over here,\u2019\u2019 Taylor said. \u2018\u2018I can score the ball at all levels, but [it\u2019s] just knowing when to take shots in the offense, when my team needs me to score or when they need me to facilitate and find other people.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Taylor has plenty of room to grow, but she has the right attitude: a chip on her shoulder and hungry for more opportunities to prove herself.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I\u2019m going out there like I\u2019m still trying to make a roster spot every time I step on the floor,\u2019\u2019 she said. \u201cAnytime I get in the game, it\u2019s going to help me build my confidence. Just trying to get those minutes consistent.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Time will tell whether Marsh rewards it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Minnesota<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Sky entered their game Friday against the Lynx last in the WNBA in defensive rebounding percentage. Players have been adamant that effort and attention to detail are the biggest factors.<\/p>\n

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read<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Toronto<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Now the face of Toronto\u2019s new franchise, Mabrey gave Sky fans the full experience in the Tempo\u2019s win at Wintrust Arena.<\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
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read<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"USC<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Before signing Poffenbarger, the Sky were down to nine active, fully-rostered players.<\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
\n \u00a0\n <\/p>\n

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