What’s Trending: June 15, 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 June 15, 2015:

#Layup4Lauren: Indiana Fever Honor Lauren Hill

https://instagram.com/p/36xBxBi3Re/?taken-by=wnba

It was Lauren Hill tribute day in Indianapolis on Sunday as the Fever honored the late Indiana native, who passed away in April after an inspiring battle with brain cancer.

The team donated $300 for every layup made during the game.

#MambaFam: Kobe Bryant Attends Sparks Game, Shouts Out Loyd

https://instagram.com/p/37wA6Xi3TO/?taken-by=wnba

A pair of Los Angeles basketball legends watched the Sparks take on the Seattle Storm on Sunday as Kobe Bryant joined Magic Johnson at the Staples Center.

The Storm came out on top, 60-54, and the Black Mamba came away impressed with No. 1 pick Jewell Loyd.

I have to give a s/o to my mentor @kobebryant for coming to the game today #MambaFam #greatteamwin #storm #whatupcuz

— Jewell B Loyd (@jewellloyd) June 15, 2015

Way to play today #rookie #wnba #MambaJewell https://t.co/IY8Mst8rem

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) June 15, 2015

#ESPN2: Sunday Doubleheader Features Conference Final Rematches

https://instagram.com/p/3635sCC3Q3/?taken-by=wnba

In the first ESPN2 doubleheader of the season, the Conference Finalists from the 2014 playoffs met on Sunday afternoon, and the results felt like deja vu.

Elena Delle Donne once again paced the high-powered Sky offense with 24 points in a 98-72 victory over the Fever, while the shorthanded defending champs made a statement in a 81-66 upset of the Lynx.

#ShockTulsa: Shock Improve to 3-1 After Record-Setting Win

The Tulsa Shock were pegged by many as a potential breakout team this season, led by the dynamic guard tandem of Skylar Diggins and Odyssey Sims.

But on Sunday in San Antonio, the Shock showcased a different side of their game. Tulsa improved to 3-1 — tied with Minnesota for tops in the Western Conference — on the strength of a WNBA-record 30 offensive rebounds, including 11 from the league’s top rebounder over the past two seasons, Courtney Paris (above).

This is the Tulsa Shock we ❤️! Shock win 73-60 led by rebounding of Paris (19) and shooting of @SkyDigg4 (21 pts.) pic.twitter.com/81erMZLj86

— Tulsa Shock, WNBA (@TulsaShock) June 14, 2015

#Relentless: Mystics’ Hot Start Continues

Mood pic.twitter.com/oB6f6n2Lla

— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) June 15, 2015

A sleeper in the East before the season, the Mystics appear on their way to fulfilling their potential as a contender this season.

On Sunday, Washington buried the Liberty with 10 three-pointers on 24 attempts, including three from guard Ivory Latta as part of a 20-point effort. A fourth-quarter lapse during Friday’s game against the Dream ended the Mystics’ undefeated stretch, however.

The upstart Connecticut Sun are off to an impressive 3-1 start themselves to tie for the top spot in the East.

#LiveIt: McCoughtry Sinks Game-Winner

Though Atlanta hasn’t quite been itself during a 2-3 start, the Dream displayed their championship potential during a fourth-quarter rally in Washington on Friday night.

Down 11 after three, the team exploded for 26 points in the fourth as guard Angel McCoughtry took over. McCoughtry poured in 10 points during the run, hitting a three-pointer with 27.9 seconds left to put Atlanta ahead for the first time since halfway through the second quarter in a 64-61 victory.

#DefendingChamps: Vets Bonner, Dupree Leading Mercury

POSTGAME: Merc 81, Lynx 66

Recap | http://t.co/uAm6ehxzgB
Video | http://t.co/od4xRpj8Zu

RT if you loved the win! pic.twitter.com/dyLu8uAER7

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 14, 2015

With the Mercury shorthanded, veterans DeWanna Bonner and Candice Dupree have gone from supporting to starring roles in Phoenix’s championship defense.

Their importance shined through on Sunday, when the Mercury handed the Lynx their first loss of the season.

“They’re the leaders of this team,” head coach Sandy Brondello told WNBA.com last week. “They’ve been there, done that.”

#RookieReport: First Impressions of This Year’s Class