What’s Trending in the #WNBAPlayoffs: Maya Time in Phoenix, Crunch Time in New York

Welcome to the Heat Wave of the WNBA Playoffs 2015 presented by Boost Mobile, when #SummerHoops give way to the chase for a championship. Here, WNBA.com will bring you what you need to know, see, listen to and/or watch each day.
What’s Trending is your one-stop shop for all things W, from which teams are making a championship push and which players are coming up clutch to the buzz going on off the court.
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Here’s What’s Trending on Monday, September 28:
#RoarWithUs: Maya Moore Carries Lynx into WNBA Finals
https://instagram.com/p/8J02t4C3d6/?taken-by=wnba
For the fourth time in five years, the Minnesota Lynx are headed to the WNBA Finals. They advanced on Sunday thanks to a historic performance from the game’s top clutch performer, Maya Moore.
On the road in Phoenix for Game 2, Moore dropped a career playoff-high 40 points — plus eight rebounds, four assists and three steals — to lift Minnesota to the next round, where she will chase the third title of her five-year career.
40 points 8 rebounds 4 assists & a trip to the #WNBAFinals! pic.twitter.com/kHn7GRA9gw
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 27, 2015
#WeAreFever: Catchings, Fever Rally to Force East Finals Game 3
#FeverWin! Indiana overcomes an 18-point deficit to force a Game 3.
Final: #Fever 70, Liberty 64#WeAreFever pic.twitter.com/Qvk2sOPYCF
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 27, 2015
Every time it seems you can count Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever out, they come roaring back to life.
That was the case once again on Sunday, when they overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to push the Eastern Conference Finals to a winner-take-all Game 3. Catchings scored 25 points, marking the 25th time she’s scored at least 20 points in a playoff game — one shy of Diana Taurasi’s all-time record.
#WatchMe: Winner-Take-All Game 3 Tuesday, 7 PM on ESPN2 & WatchESPN
Make @TheGarden #BurnBright for @NYLiberty. Join me and support these inspiring women in the playoffs: pic.twitter.com/XRd0FFp148
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2015
A trip to the WNBA Finals will be on the line on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Liberty and Fever will play Game 3 at 7 PM ET on ESPN 2 and WatchESPN in what is shaping up to be a classic.
New York is looking to advance to its first Finals since 2002 while chasing its first-ever title, while Indiana can book a return trip three years after capturing the 2012 championship.
#MayaTime: Relive Moore’s Legendary Performance
The Lynx call it #MayaTime. It’s also known as winning time or crunch time, and Moore has owned it since she entered the league — and even well before that.
Sunday’s 40-spot was just another clutch outing from a player who now owns a 406-51 record between high school, college and the WNBA.
.@MooreMaya scored a career playoff high 40 points to lead the @minnesotalynx to the #WNBAFinals! #WatchMehttps://t.co/luur85Z4Zj
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 28, 2015
#BurnBright: Liberty, MSG Prep to Host Another Game 3
For the second time in a week, The Garden is set to a host a decisive Game 3. Get ready for Tuesday night with the Liberty’s “Daughters” spot, directed by Spike Lee.
We’re all rooting for the @NYLiberty Tuesday. let’s win this for New York. #BurnBright #WNBAPlayoffs https://t.co/BVqwZ4p9n6
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 27, 2015
#XFactor: Mercury Close the Books on a Memorable 2015 Season
The Mercury’s quest to repeat as champions ended in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of a familiar foe in Minnesota, which has beaten Phoenix in the Western Conference Finals in three of the past five seasons.
But Phoenix mounted a strong title defense and has a bright future with superstar Brittney Griner improving each day even as she dominates.
19-time Best Fans in the WNBA. Thank you. #XFactor pic.twitter.com/OJb1J0k1YH
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 27, 2015
.@PhoenixMercury Thanks for continually doing us proud. While the season didn't end the way we all hoped, you represented PHX amazingly.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 27, 2015
#GearUp: Lynx Western Conference Champs Shirts Now Available
Shop @minnesotalynx Western Conference Champs Tees (via @NBAStore) http://t.co/Ae5yGLNihY pic.twitter.com/gbPZ0eVXLE
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 28, 2015
#InspiringWomen: Swoopes, Others Honored on Monday in NYC
The annual WNBA Inspiring Women Luncheon presented by ESPN “recognizes individuals who have blazed new paths on the court, in the boardroom and in the community.”
At Monday’s event, WNBA Legend Sheryl Swoopes will receive the Boost Mobile Pioneer Award, while humanitarian and CEO of McKinsey Social Initiative, Dr. Helene D. Gayle will be the recipient of the 2015 WNBA Inspiration Award.
https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/648538630915538944
#WNBAAwards: Griner Headlines 2015 All-Defensive Team
https://youtu.be/KAx-8uMONrk
The league announced its 2015 All-Defensive Team on Sunday afternoon, and not surprisingly, two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Brittney Griner leads the list.
A pair of Fever starters were also selected to the first team, while three Liberty players got second-team nods.
MORE: 2015 All-Defensive Team | 2015 WNBA Awards Hub
.@Catchin24 and @BriannJanuary have been voted to the 2015 @WNBA All-Defensive First Team: http://t.co/PXFRJ3crSN pic.twitter.com/lFAkRaNJkx
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 27, 2015
#ICYMI: Storm Future Even Brighter After Winning Draft Lottery
https://instagram.com/p/8COZoXC3ZU/?taken-by=wnba
Thursday’s 2016 WNBA Draft Lottery win was just the latest in a long line of smart moves and good fortune that have put the Seattle Storm in a position for a quicker rebuild than many expected.