The 45-year-old from Norfolk claimed only his second televised victory over Taylor with a fine display to end the world number one's hopes of a third Players Championship title in four stagings of the event.
King established an early 3-1 lead and managed to maintain his advantage to seal a place in Sunday's quarter-finals, although he had missed nine match darts before finally hitting double five to inflict a first televised defeat since June for Taylor.
Taylor had taken the game's opening leg in 14 darts, landing double eight, but that would prove to be the only time in the contest when he would lead.
King levelled on double top and punished misses from Taylor to win the next two on double eight and take a 3-1 advantage.
Taylor hit a 180 and double eight to win the fifth before King took out 81 for a 4-2 cushion, which was cut by double 16.
The world number one then hit another 180 but missed three darts to level the match as King took out 90 on double 15.
Taylor won the next with a 13-darter, landing a 180 and double 16, but King edged to the brink of victory by punishing further missed doubles from the reigning champion.
King was first to a finish in the 12th, but wired double 16 for a 110 finish and three further darts at double eight before Taylor won his fifth leg on double 16.
King, though, hit his second 180 of the game to edge clear in the next, leaving 40 after 12 darts but missing five more match darts before double five sealed his first televised win over Taylor since the 2009 Premier League Darts semi-finals.
"It's always an honour to play Phil and to beat him is special," said King. "I got the win and that's all that matters, but I did get nervous at the end.
"Most of the match darts which missed were good darts at a double that didn't go in, but it was a big relief to see the double five go in."
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