What’s Trending: Sparks Assume the Throne

Doug Ammon

What’s Trending brings you the the top 10 things you need to know, listen to and/or watch in the past and upcoming week. It’s your one-stop shop for all things W, from which teams/players are on a roll to what the league’s superstars are up to off the court.

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Here’s What’s Trending on June 27, 2016:

#StreakWatch: Sparks & Lynx End Each Other’s Winning Streaks 

The WNBA was treated to not one, but two historic starts to the season. The Lynx (12-0) and Sparks (11-0) entered last week with the impending knowledge that one or both teams wouldn’t be undefeated the next week as they had two head-to-head showdowns scheduled. In the first matchup on Tuesday, the Lynx eventually prevailed behind a Renee Montgomery three in the waning seconds thus ending the Sparks’ 11-0 start to the season.

Friday, the Sparks returned the favor with a resounding 94-76 victory over in Minnesota. Minnesota’s 13-0 record is the new mark for the best start.

#GoSparks: L.A. (13-1) Now Holds WNBA’s Best Record 

After its 80-73 win over Connecticut and Minnesota’s second-straight loss in Washington Sunday, Los Angeles now holds the league’s best record at 13-1. The squad is led by Nneka Ogwumike (17.9 ppg) and Candace Parker (15.3 ppg). Kristi Toliver’s 14.8 ppg is the second highest mark of her career, while she’s also shooting 49% from behind the arc.

#SisterShowdown: Nneka vs. Chiney Ogwumike

The Sparks vs. Sun game had another, more personal storyline in addition to the Sparks looking to claim the league’s best record. It was the fourth time the Ogwumike sisters would play against each other as pros. Nneka’s Sparks’ squad got the better of Chiney’s Sun but both finished with double-digit points.

They played together at Cypress High School in Texas and in college at Stanford.

https://twitter.com/BasketballFam5/status/747209020931375104?lang=en

#Becky25: Hammon Has Her Stars Number Retired 

One of best to ever do it at the point guard position in the WNBA was Becky Hammon. Hammon played 16 seasons in the league, the final eight in San Antonio with the Stars. It was in the black and white that she earned three of her six All-Star appearances and also led the league in assists in 2007, her first year in San Antonio.

#WNBA20: Liberty’s 1997 Team Together Again 

#WNBAPride: WNBA Plays Major Role In NYC Celebration

On Sunday afternoon, the WNBA and NBA partnered for the celebration that is the NYC Pride Parade. Both leagues came together to ride a float, and walk alongside others that were there participating — becoming the first professional sports leagues to participate. NBA commissioner Adam Silver and WNBA president Lisa Borders were on-hand to take part in the festivities.

https://twitter.com/WNBAPrez/status/747091778277376000

#WatchMeWork: Lynx Honored By President Obama 

The Lynx will be honored by President Obama at the White House for the third time in five years in a celebration of their 2015 WNBA championship.

#Out4Redemption: Taurasi Hits 7,000 Career Points

Diana Taurasi has been one of the most prolific scorers the WNBA has ever seen since being drafted first overall in 2004 by the Phoenix Mercury. 13 seasons later Taurasi  became just the third woman in WNBA history to score 7,000 points and the fastest to ever do it. She reached that mark in Friday night’s Mercury win over the Mystics.

#MercuryRising: Phoenix Makes It Two Straight With OT Win

The Mercury have had a tumultuous start to the season but put together two-straight wins over the weekend, including an 104-97 OT thriller against the Liberty. It looks like Phoenix may have turned the corner and are starting to find their stride — and the team added a major reinforcement by trading for 2015 All-Star Kelsey Bone.

#ICYMI: WNBA Unveils Its 20 Best In Honor Of 20th Season

The WNBA has had its fair share of superstars, but the the 20 best were selected on Tuesday afternoon. Current players like Tamika Catchings, Swin Cash, and Sue Bird highlight a list full of legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, and Lisa Leslie.

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