What’s Trending: August 10, 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.

Follow the WNBA: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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 10, 2015:

#BHAWeek: WNBA and Bright Pink Join Forces

The WNBA’s Breast Health Awareness Week featured activations from all 12 teams as well as 10 nationally televised games, including an NBA TV doubleheader and ESPN showcase on Sunday.

As part of the WNBA Cares initiative, proceeds from BHA shirts sold on WNBAStore.com benefited Bright Pink, a non-profit “focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.”

#10ForOurTown: EDD’s 33 Carry Sky over Mercury

Elena Delle Donne proved to be the Kryptonite to snap the Mercury’s five-game winning streak on Sunday. The leading MVP candidate delivered another season highlight with 33 points, including a career-high five three-pointers, as Chicago topped Phoenix, 74-64, in a 2014 WNBA Finals rematch.

https://instagram.com/p/6Lr53WC3dG/?taken-by=wnba

#NYLiberty: Prince, New York Best Chicago on the Road

In a weekend full of potential playoff previews, the Liberty came through with perhaps the biggest ‘W.’ Guard Epiphanny Prince poured in a season-high 30 points in her return to Chicago, leading New York past the Sky to keep the Liberty atop the Eastern Conference. Her 30 points were the most in WNBA history by a player playing their former team for the first time.

#Milestones: Bonner, Griner Add to Resumes

It was a busy weekend for the Phoenix Mercury. Before falling to Chicago in Sunday’s Finals rematch, they edged the Lynx on Friday — their fifth straight win — to take a 2-1 series lead in one of the league’s best rivalries.

In the process, DeWanna Bonner continued a banner sixth season by making her 59th straight free throw, setting the league’s single-season record, and scoring her 3,000th point.

Brittney Griner was once again dominant with 11 more blocks in the two games to become the franchise’s all-time leading shot blocker.

#PlayoffPush: Races Heating Up With One Month Left

150810_sun-fever_900-400

There is no official marker of the “stretch run,” but Thursday is a good place to start: As of August 13, one month will remain in the 2015 regular season.

That means a lot is left to sort out when it comes to the playoff races, particularly in the Eastern Conference. Just 3.5 games separate first place from fifth place, and the Indiana Fever hold a one-game lead over the Connecticut Sun for the fourth and final East playoff spot.

Click here to view the current standings

#SkysRecovery: Diggins on the Mend

The league may be missing one of its biggest stars this season, but don’t think Skylar Diggins isn’t hard at work. The Tulsa Shock guard posted a video of her rehab from a torn ACL this week and is offering top-notch analysis on Twitter, as well.

https://twitter.com/SkyDigg4/status/630068141016645632

https://twitter.com/SkyDigg4/status/630461725465292800

#WNBADraft: League Announces Lottery Rule Changes

150805-WNBA-1440

In news that could have an impact on the future of several franchises, the WNBA announced last Wednesday that its Board of Governors has approved “a revision to the existing format of the league’s Draft Lottery.”

The four teams that miss the playoffs will participate in the drawing for the top four picks, but the odds will now be based on cumulative record over the past two seasons instead of just the past season.

Read more about the changes here.

#WNBA101: Catching Up with Tamika Catchings

#WouldYouRather: Run Marathon or Compete in Triathlon?

#Primetime: Nine Games on NBA TV This Week

1-liberty

The run of primetime games on national TV continues this week with some of the league’s star players and powerhouse teams hitting the big stage.

Highlights of the schedule include: Tuesday’s rematch between the Sky and Liberty (7 PM ET, NBA TV), who could be dueling in the East all the way into October; Maya Moore and the Lynx squaring off with Angel McCoughtry and the Dream (Friday, 7:30 PM ET, NBA TV); and another Delle Donne vs. Parker duel on Sunday (5 PM ET, NBA TV).

Related News