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

Brian Kotloff

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

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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.


#WeAreFever: Catchings, Fever Rally to Force East Finals Game 3

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

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.


#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.


#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.


#GearUp: Lynx Western Conference Champs Shirts Now Available


#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.

Click here to read more.

https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/648538630915538944


#WNBAAwards: Griner Headlines 2015 All-Defensive Team

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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


#ICYMI: Storm Future Even Brighter After Winning Draft Lottery

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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.

Click here to read more.