What’s Trending: August 31, 2015
With so much #SummerHoops to take in this season, it’s hard to keep track of all of the storylines that will play out on a nightly basis this WNBA season. That’s what What’s Trending is for.
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Here, we’ll bring you the 10 things you need to know, see, listen to and/or watch in the past and coming week. It’s your one-stop shop for all things W, from which teams are on a roll to which players are coming up big to what the league’s superstars are up to off the court.
Here’s What’s Trending on August 31, 2015:
#WNBAPlayoffs: Three More Teams Clinch Spots
The playoff picture became much clearer during a 12-game weekend in which three teams officially clinched berths: the New York Liberty, Chicago Sky and Tulsa Shock.
WE'RE IN. #NYLIBERTY pic.twitter.com/URuPXB8GWe
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 29, 2015
WE'RE IN!!! #FOROURTOWN pic.twitter.com/VuOV4ikch3
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 30, 2015
Shock WIN and clinch a spot in the 2015 playoffs! #ShockTulsa pic.twitter.com/NaT7gPTG98
— Tulsa Shock, WNBA (@TulsaShock) August 30, 2015
The Sky have risen back to the No. 2 seed in the East, the Liberty are making a playoff trip for the first time in three years, and the Shock qualified for the first and final time since moving to Tulsa in 2010 (they will relocate to Dallas-Fort Worth next season).
Tulsa’s clinch caps an absolute roller coaster of a season that has included an 8-1 start, the loss of Skylar Diggins, a 10-game losing streak and finally the team’s current five-game winning streak.
KEY DATES: WNBA Playoffs Presented By Boost Mobile Begin Sept. 17
#LiveIt: DeLisha Milton-Jones Becomes All-Time Leader in Games Played
With her 497th appearance in a WNBA game on Friday, Atlanta Dream guard DeLisha Milton-Jones became the league’s new all-time leader in games played, passing Tina Thompson. The 40-year-old has played 17 seasons for the Sparks, Mystics, Stars, Liberty and Dream.
https://instagram.com/p/683e3vC3Rc/?taken-by=wnba
#WNBAFamily: NBA Players Show Support
NBA players past and present came out to take in some #SummerHoops from the stands this weekend. The highlights:
Chicago-native Tim Hardaway is inside Allstate Arena tonight enjoying some @wnba basketball! #10ForOurTown pic.twitter.com/GpSzvjkqQn
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 30, 2015
??? @ALLAN_HOUSTON! #BurnBright pic.twitter.com/FFJg6SLGod
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 29, 2015
.@Lakers are in the house! @MagicJohnson w/ @Dloading @Hoya2aPacer & @TarikBlack25! #WeAreLA #GoSparks pic.twitter.com/1BQJ5YPlhe
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 31, 2015
.@Pacers first-round draft pick @Original_Turner watching #SummerHoops at @TheFieldhouse. pic.twitter.com/89lMwA65HF
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 29, 2015
#BlockParty: Brittney Griner Swats Nine Shots
The Phoenix Mercury lost their ESPN 2 showdown with the West-leading Lynx on Sunday, but it was another huge game for Brittney Griner. The Mercury center blocked nine shots, the most by an individual player in a game this season.
https://instagram.com/p/7CL4kfi3WI/?taken-by=wnba
#TogetherWeRise: Loyd, Storm Complete Weekend Sweep
STORM WINS! STORM WINS!@jewellloyd finishes with 18pts, @crystalanghorne with 15pts. #TogetherWeRise #LoydROY pic.twitter.com/yhz6dq6XYB
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 31, 2015
While the Seattle Storm remain mathematically in the race for the West’s final playoff spot — two games behind the Sparks in the loss column — this season has always been about building for the future.
That future looked bright over the weekend when the Storm defended their home court with wins over the Stars and the Mystics.
Rookie of the Year frontrunner continued to build her case, setting a franchise record by shooting 14-for-14 from the free throw line on Sunday (most free throws in a game without a miss).
#PlaysoftheMonth: Beating the Buzzer in August
From Washington to Phoenix and in between, the month of August was filled with buzzer-beaters and game-winners across the league.
#WeAreWomen: Sparks Celebrate Women in the Community
The Los Angeles Sparks’ #WeAreWomen campaign culminated in Sunday’s #WeAreWomen Night at the Staples Center following a festival during the afternoon.
Join the @LA_Sparks for #WeAreWomen Night tonight & celebrate the incredible women of LA! http://t.co/zz3S91LoAS pic.twitter.com/yw527YniYE
— Crypto.com Arena (@cryptocomarena) August 30, 2015
https://instagram.com/p/7Dbnkankk8/
Click here to read more about the campaign.
#WNBACares: Delle Donne Receives Community Assist Award
Elena Delle Donne is winning awards not just on the court, but off it, as well. On Friday, she received the league’s July WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for her personal mission and efforts to empower individuals with special needs.
.@wnbachicagosky's @De11eDonne named July @WNBA Cares Community Assist Award pres. by @StateFarm winner! pic.twitter.com/FdKfdEMCvw
— NBA Cares (@nbacares) August 28, 2015
#SimplePlays: Highlighting the League’s Best
The Sparks pulled off the Simple Play of the Week with precise passing between Candace Parker and Farhiya Abdi on the fast break.
.@Candace_Parker and Farhiya Abdi make it look easy! Vote for your favorite @simple Play on http://t.co/YBbcM3unQAhttps://t.co/l3uQbfSkfy
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 28, 2015
Vote for the top Simple plays of the season here.
#WNBA101: New York Liberty Star Tina Charles
New York Liberty center Tina Charles details where she’s from, her signature move, her WNBA idols and the music that describes her style of play.