What’s Trending: Sparks Red-Hot, Wings Welcomed to Dallas

Brian Kotloff

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 May 23, 2016:

#WNBALeaguePass: Loyd, Toliver Come Up Clutch

It was a #LeaguePassAlert type of weekend, with the highest drama playing out in Phoenix and New York.

On Friday, second-year Storm guard Jewell Loyd sunk the Mercury with a career-high 30 points and the game-winning bucket in the final seconds.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFp_RKcC3fa/?taken-by=wnba

The next night, Sparks guard Kristi Toliver led L.A.’s improbably comeback against the Liberty, hitting the game-tying three-pointer before the Sparks eventually won in overtime.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFsLX0PC3Q9/?taken-by=wnba

#GoSparks: L.A. 3-0 for First Time in 13 Years

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFsHVa_N6bE/?taken-by=la_sparks&hl=en

The breakout team of 2016 so far has been the Sparks, who have won their first three games for the first time since Lisa Leslie led the eventual Western Conference champion 2003 squad.

Health has been the difference, as Candace Parker was ready from the get-go this season (she sat out the first half of 2015) and is surrounded by five other All-Star-level talents.

Guided by a championship head coach in Brian Agler, the Sparks have shown early signs that they could emerge as another title contender out West.

#Wings: Dallas Victorious in Inaugural Home Opener

A sellout crowd of 7,275 welcomed the WNBA to Dallas for the first time on Saturday night. The Wings returned the favor with an 82-77 win over the in-state rival Stars to improve to 3-1 on the year.

Even better news for Dallas? Star guard Skylar Diggins saw her first action since tearing her ACL last June.

https://twitter.com/SkyDigg4/status/734230027953283072

#LosLynx: Maya, Defending Champs Still Rolling

It’s no surprise who joined the Sparks as the only other team still undefeated through the season’s first week: the three-time champion Lynx.

In just the last week, Sylvia Fowles became the 19th player to surpass 2,000 career rebounds, Lindsay Whalen moved past Sheryl Swoopes for 15th on the all-time scoring list, and Maya Moore chased down a Breanna Stewart layup attempt for an early Block of the Year candidate.

#PlayoffPreview: Lynx Battle Mercury, Fever This Week

https://youtu.be/leGiuvNFWZU

A playoff preview in May? That may be too early to say. But the Lynx will remain in the headlines this week as they face the two teams they vanquished during last fall’s title run.

First up is another installment of the Minnesota-Phoenix rivalry, just 11 days after the Lynx rolled on Opening Night. Then on Friday comes the first Finals rematch as the Lynx host Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever.

(Both games can be seen on WNBA League Pass).

#WatchMeWork: WNBA on NBA TV, ESPN 2 This Week

A few of the league’s top stars will hit the national stage this week as the NBA TV and ESPN 2 slates heat up.

On Tuesday, Tina Charles and the Liberty host Angel McCoughtry and the Dream in a matchup of perennial playoff contenders. Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker go head-to-head for the first time in a must-see matchup on ESPN 2 that night (8 PM ET).

The Dream remain front and center on NBA TV when they visit Skylar Diggins, Odssey Sims and the Dallas Wings on Friday and host Tamika Catchings and the Fever on Sunday.

#WNBARooks: Breanna Stewart’s WNBA Initiation

https://youtu.be/eVbsHzKxokg

How’s this for your first week on the job?

  • Game 1: @ Candace Parker and the Sparks
  • Game 2: @ Brittney Griner and the Mercury
  • Game 3: vs. Sylvia Fowles and the Lynx

Hyped rookie Breanna Stewart has been thrown into the fire to start her pro career, to say the least. Though she’s shooting an uncharacteristic 38%, she has been largely up to the task, averaging 17.0 points, 10.7 rebounds (4th in WNBA), 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks.

#WNBATopPlays: Sims Busts A Move, Thomas Pulls a Curry

#WNBA20: Relive Taurasi’s Best Moments

The ultimate WNBA video vault headlines WNBA.com’s 20th season celebration. Go to WNBA.com/WNBA20 throughout the season as we roll out new classic videos and tribute playlists.

Last week, we celebrated the return of all-time great Diana Taurasi with a “Best of Taurasi” playlist at WNBA.com/WNBA20/Diana-Taurasi

#NBAFamily: Draymond Green on Why He Learns from the W

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