What's Trending: Semifinals and Lottery on Tap
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 September 26, 2016:
#WNBAPlayoffs: Semifinals Tip Wednesday on ESPN2
The WNBA Playoff field is down to four teams. On one side, the Mercury and Lynx will renew their classic rivalry, meeting in the semifinals for the fourth straight season. On the other, the Sparks eye their first Finals appearance in 13 years and the Sky look to book a return trip following a 2014 Finals loss.
With the 2nd Round of the #WNBAPlayoffs complete, here's a look at the updated bracket.
Who do you think will win it all? pic.twitter.com/yJHLZTZrHT
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2016
#PasstheBall: Post on Instagram Using #WNBAPlayoffs
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKsp148jHyx/?taken-by=wnba
#WNBADraft: Lottery to Take Place on Wednesday
For the four teams that did not make the Playoffs, there is always hope in building through the Draft and finding the next best rookie like Seattle did with Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart. San Antonio has the best odds of securing the number one pick, followed by Dallas, Los Angeles (who is getting Connecticut’s draft pick) and then Washington.
The 2017 WNBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm will be televised live on ESPN2 on Wednesday, Sept. 28. https://t.co/4L6csicuKf
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2016
#LetsGoSky: Chicago Advances Past Atlanta
On Sunday, Chicago set a WNBA Playoff record with 37 points in the 1st quarter against the Dream and never looked back, cruising to a 108-98 victory. Courtney Vandersloot led the way with 21 points and 13 assists while Jessica Breland pitched in 20 points and 16 rebounds for a Sky team playing without 2015 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne.
The Sky lives to fight another day! Game 1 of semis start Wednesday in LA! #wnbaplayoffs pic.twitter.com/hUeChD4ajj
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 25, 2016
#Out4Redemption: Taurasi Lifts Mercury Over Liberty
The Mercury are set for another semifinals series against the Lynx after their 101-94 victory on Saturday in New York against the Liberty. Diana Taurasi continued her stellar play with 30 points, while Griner and Taylor combined for 42 points.
That semifinals feeling. ?#Out4Redemption pic.twitter.com/01MDehgbiL
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 25, 2016
#HeatCheck: Taurasi Scorching Hot For Mercury
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKwqXm3jNuv/?taken-by=wnba
Another Playoff elimination game, and another spectacular performance by Taurasi, scoring 30 points in MSG and having her coach call her the “GOAT.” Taurasi passed Lisa Leslie to move to second all-time in career playoff scoring, behind only Tamika Catchings.
#24Forever: A Legendary Career Comes To An End
Tamika wasn’t able to get past the red-hot Mercury in what was the last game for one the WNBA’s best players of all-time.
The curtain closes on @Catchin24's amazing career. #24Forever pic.twitter.com/KzsWN3xyae
— NBA (@NBA) September 22, 2016
The Top 10 Plays from @Catchin24's illustrious career! #24Forever pic.twitter.com/7e2PFK2td3
— NBA (@NBA) September 22, 2016
#CashNOut: Another Legendary Career Comes To An End
Even though Swin Cash and the Liberty weren’t able to get past the Mercury, it doesn’t take away from the amazing career of another WNBA legend.
15 exceptional years, on and off the court! @swincash #CashNOut pic.twitter.com/ZNM2jCUZaC
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2016
#WNBA20: Counting Down the Top Playoff Memories
Maya Moore’s buzzer-beater in Game 3 of last year’s Finals went down as an instant-classic WNBA Playoff moment. As we wait to see what’s in store in 2016, WNBA.com offers the defining moments of each of the first 19 Playoffs.
#WatchMeWork: NBA Family Catches WNBA Playoffs
Current and former NBA players were on hand to enjoy the exciting Playoff basketball in Chicago and New York including Jimmy Butler and Spencer Dinwiddie of the Chicago Bulls, and rookie Willy Hernangomez of the Knicks.
.@JimmyButler on hand to support the @wnbachicagosky at their #WNBAPlayoffs game. pic.twitter.com/b2ihE4LEpH
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2016
Always a pleasure seeing @chicagobulls @SDinwiddie_25 in the crowd! #ChicagoBasketball #wnbaplayoffs pic.twitter.com/4p6n0JRBO1
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 25, 2016
Feeling great to be at home! ?? Game time with @MKuzminskas #knicks #MSG #nyc? @nyliberty pic.twitter.com/79c3dzIbGe
— Willy Hernangómez Geuer (@willyhg94) September 24, 2016
Another @nyknicks legend in the house! Thanks for the support @ALLAN_HOUSTON! #ShowUp #WNBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/B9dp3tJfcr
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 25, 2016
.@nyknicks legend @StarksTheDunk is showing his @nyliberty pride tonight at @TheGarden! #WNBAPlayoffs #ShowUp pic.twitter.com/UrlSpIEXVB
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 25, 2016
Former NBA player, Vin Baker on hand to watch @nyliberty/ @PhoenixMercury. #WNBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cpUdkejH2H
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 24, 2016