Lynx to Open Western Conference Finals on Friday at US Airways Center
The Minnesota Lynx, who finished off a two-game sweep of the San Antonio Stars on Saturday, will open up the Western Conference Finals in Phoenix at US Airways Center on Friday, August 29 at 9 PM CT. This season marks Minnesotas fourth straight trip to the Conference Finals, previously reaching the WNBA Finals in each of the past three seasons. The Lynx will face the Phoenix Mercury, who swept the Los Angeles Sparks in their Western Conference Semifinals matchup. This series is a rematch of the 2013 Western Conference Finals which saw the Lynx sweep the Mercury, 2-0.
This entire schedule for the best-of-three Western Conference Finals is as follows:
| GAME | DATE | LOCATION | TIME (CT) | TV/RADIO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Friday, Aug. 29 | Phoenix | 9:00 p.m. | NBA TV/BOB 106.1 |
| Game 2 | Sunday, Aug. 31 | Minneapolis | 2:30 p.m. | ABC/BOB 106.1 |
| Game 3* | Tuesday, Sept. 2 | Phoenix | 9:00 p.m. | NBA TV/BOB 106.1 |
*if necessary
Minnesota enters the Western Conference Finals attempting to become just the second team in WNBA history to reach the WNBA Finals in four consecutive seasons (Houston, 1997-2000). In each of the past three seasons, the Lynx have swept their opponent in the Western Conference Finals (Phoenix, 2013; Los Angeles, 2012; Phoenix, 2011). The Lynx would be the first WNBA team to do so in the current best-of-five format. Minnesota hasn't lost a playoff game since October 21, 2012 when Indiana defeated them in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.
The Lynx (25-9) wrapped up their regular season by becoming the first team in WNBA history to record 25+ wins for four consecutive years. The 105 victories in that span ties Los Angeles (2000-2003) for the league's most ever in a four-year span. Minnesota enters the Western Conference Finals with the best winning percentage both overall (22-9, .709) and at home (15-2, .882) in league postseason history.
Minnesota has won 14 of their past 17 games over the Mercury, including a 75-67 win over Phoenix on July 31 that snapped the Mercury's franchise-record 16-game winning streak. The Lynx finished the 2014 regular season series set 1-3 against Phoenix. Entering Fridays game, the Lynx have a 4-0 record all-time against Phoenix in the playoffs with victories in 2013 and 2011.
Tickets for the Western Conference Semifinals and playoff strips, which include tickets to all potential postseason home games, are available for purchase by calling the Lynx at 612-673-8400 or by visiting LynxBasketball.com/LynxTix.
Contact Information:
Ashley Carlson, Minnesota Lynx, (612) 673-1208, acarlson@lynxbasketball.com
Matt Bishop, Minnesota Lynx, (612) 673-1277, bishop@lynxbasketball.com
For more news and notes on the team follow the Minnesota Lynx on Twitter.