What’s Trending: September 8, 2015

Brian Kotloff

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 September 8, 2015:

#BurnBright: Liberty Clinch Top Seed in East

The Eastern Conference playoffs will run through New York. The Liberty ensured that with a huge win over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, continuing their dream season at The Garden.

New York clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, tied its franchise record with 22 wins, and can clinch the top overall seed in the playoffs with either one more win or one more Lynx loss.

#WNBAPlayoffs: Seven of Eight Playoff Spots Claimed

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After three months of #SummerHoops, we now know seven of the eight teams that will be participating in the WNBA playoffs this September/October.

The Sky and Fever will join the Liberty in the East, while the newcomers in Tulsa — where the Shock qualified for the first time since their relocation in 2010 — enter the postseason alongside perennial contenders in the Lynx, Mercury and Sparks.

The 2015 #WNBAPlayoffs begin on Thursday, September 17, following Sunday’s regular-season finale.

#DreamChasing: Atlanta Trying to Catch Washington for East’s No. 4 Seed

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Just 19 days ago, the Washington Mystics had their sights set on climbing up the Eastern Conference ladder at 15-9, while the 9-15 Atlanta Dream could hardly think about the playoffs.

With three games remaining for each, the Dream now have an outside chance of pulling off an incredible comeback. They won their third game over the Mystics this season, and can nab the fourth and final East playoff spot if they win their final three games and the Mystics lose their final three.

The two teams meet on Sunday, the last day of the regular season, in a matchup that could potentially determine who plays on.

#RoarWithUs: Lynx Can Clinch West’s Top Seed on Tuesday

Minnesota has sat comfortably atop the Western Conference since July, and the Lynx are just one win away from locking up the top seed in the West for the fourth time in five seasons.

They have two cracks at it against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday and Thursday, while a Mercury loss on Friday or Sunday would also finalize the standings.

#FOROURTOWN: Delle Donne Celebrates Birthday, Milestone

It seems every week comes with a new milestone or piece of history for Elena Delle Donne.

On Saturday, she celebrated her 26th birthday.

On Sunday, she scored her 1,500th career point.

And she continues to shoot at a historic pace from the free throw line, making foul shots at a single-season record (min. 100 attempts) 95.7% clip and an all-time high 94.2% for her career — an incredible 439-of-466.

MORE: EDD Historically Accurate at the Free Throw Line

#WeAreLA: Parker, Ogwumike Lift Sparks

The L.A. Sparks are headed to the playoffs for the 15th time in franchise history — a league high — and they are not your average No. 4 seed.

The return of All-Stars Alana Beard, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker and Kristi Toliver at different points in the season has transformed the Sparks into a dangerous matchup for either the Lynx or Mercury in the first round. L.A. has rebounded from a 3-14 start to go 11-4 in its next 15 games, and Candace Parker (33 points, career-high five three-pointers on Sunday) and Nneka Ogwumike (50 points, 17/22 FG in two games since return from injury) are as good as any duo in the league.

#LetsGoSun: Bone Hits Last-Second Game-Winner for Connecticut

Kelsey Bone has enjoyed a breakout third season for the Sun, who have put together a solid season as a team. Connecticut pulled out another dramatic victory on Friday, when Bone drove in for the game-winning layup against the Stars.

#SophiaTribute: Stars Honor Young-Malcolm at Final Home Game

Prior to their final home game of 2015, the Stars paid tribute to their franchise leader in points, rebounds, steals and games played. Sophia Young-Malcolm played her final game in San Antonio before the 10-year vet and three-time All-Star retires at the end of the season.

#HoopHall: WNBA Great Lisa Leslie to Be Inducted on Friday

Los Angeles Sparks legend Lisa Leslie will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday (NBA TV, 6:30 PM ET) as one of 11 members of the Class of 2015. Click here to read more about the three-time MVP and two-time champion and her fellow inductees.

#WNBADraft: Lottery Set for Sept. 24 on ESPN 2

It’s never too early to start thinking about the WNBA Draft, especially when the senior class includes three-time NCAA champion Breanna Stewart. This year’s potentially franchise-changing lottery will be televised live on ESPN 2 during halftime of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

MORE: League Announces Changes to Lottery Format

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