What’s Trending: #WNBA20 Back in A Big Way
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.
Follow the WNBA: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Here’s What’s Trending on August 29, 2016:
#WNBA20: 2016 Season Back With A Bang
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJk7PXFATmR/?taken-by=wnba
After a month-long break for the Olympics, the WNBA’s landmark 20th season resumed on Friday. Just three weeks remain in the regular season before the WNBA Playoffs begin on Wednesday, September 21.
#WNBATopPlays: Play of the Year?!
Stars guard Sydney Colson went “Showtime” on a fastbreak in San Antonio and turned in one of the viral highlights of the season.
https://vine.co/v/5emzz9JK6jq
#USABWNT: Olympians Return in Style
The 12 stars who made up the U.S. Women’s National Team returned to starring for their respective WNBA teams this weekend. After winning the USA’s sixth straight gold medal, each now shifts her focus to the quest for the WNBA title.
Half of the @usabasketball team honored pregame. ??? Tipoff is now on ESPN2, live from Minnesota! pic.twitter.com/icdUt1JeYK
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 28, 2016
At Dream/Sky, Olympians Erika de Souza, Clarissa Dos Santos, Elena Delle Donne and Angel McCoughtry are honored!https://t.co/mN9MqmzZT6
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 27, 2016
#LosLynx: Minny Moves into First Place
Squad ? pic.twitter.com/nKgbToU9z2
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) August 29, 2016
After trailing the red-hot Sparks for much of the summer, the Lynx are back on top at 22-5, a half-game ahead of L.A. Olympians Lindsay Whalen (26 points) and Seimone Augustus (18 points) led the way in Sunday’s win over the Storm, re-launching Minnesota’s push for a fourth title in six years.
#WatchMeWork: Mercury, Sky Re-Start Strong
.@DianaTaurasi pours in 26 PTs to fuel @PhoenixMercury to a 70-66 W over @LA_Sparks in a thrilling contest. #WNBA20 pic.twitter.com/NuUzOO0Knx
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 29, 2016
2 wins in a row! #RedefinePossible pic.twitter.com/wYQgpQnYLa
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 28, 2016
Expected contenders who endured up-and-down first halves, the Mercury and Sky quickly rebounded to each open the stretch run with back-to-back victories. Stars Diana Taurasi — who dropped 26 in an upset of the Sparks on Sunday — and Elena Delle Donne (34 points on Friday) carried their respective squads.
#WNBAPlayoffs: Race for Eight Spots Heats Up
The WNBA’s new playoff format — in which the top eight seeds regardless of conference will qualify — makes every game down the stretch that much more important. The West’s Storm and the East’s Mystics are currently tied for the No. 8 seed, while the Dream hold a half-game lead for the No. 4 seed, which receives a bye to the second round.
If the playoffs started today:
Chicago (5) vs. Washington (8)
Indiana (6) vs. Phoenix (7)
Minnesota (1) and L.A. (2) receive double byes
New York (3) and Atlanta (4) receive single byes
#Super20: WNBA Sweepstakes Launches
We are officially launching our #WNBASuper20 #Sweepstakes today! See rules here: https://t.co/xvJSfCGhUt pic.twitter.com/gADxT7WG5d
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 24, 2016
#GoLiberty: Charles Strives to Bring Title to NYC
What’s driving Tina Charles as she carries her hometown team and chases her second MVP? The New York Liberty star offers insight:
Take a look at how has Tina Charles elevated her game so much this year. #WatchMeWork https://t.co/38F67pIRTR
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 26, 2016
#RacetoMVP: Inside Ogwumike’s Dominant Season
MUST READ ALERT! @Nnemkadi30 chasing basketball immortality! #WatchMeWork
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 27, 2016
Nneka Ogwumike’s incredible first two months put her in the same conversation as Wilt Chamberlain. What does the Sparks’ MVP frontrunner have in store for the rest of the season?
All-Access with @LA_Sparks Forward @Nnemkadi30! #WatchMeWork https://t.co/Gmt4nYtyOH
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 28, 2016
#Congratulations: Weekend Filled with Milestones
HISTORY!
Candice Dupree becomes just the 17th player in @WNBA history to record 5,000 career points. pic.twitter.com/dGvSOVYCGM
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 27, 2016
Rebekkah Brunson with 2 offensive rebounds and is now the WNBA leader in that category! She passed Taj McWilliams-Franklin (1062) for 1st.
— Lynx PR (@Lynx_PR) August 28, 2016
Tonight's W was @pokeychatman's 100th career win as Sky Head Coach! RT to congratulate Coach Chatman! #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/uAx1ktGijy
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 27, 2016