Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
Twitter
The Minnesota Lynx will be in the 2017 WNBA Playoffs.
I know, I know, that been old news for about a month.
But where, when and who they will be playing is still up for grabs.
Following Friday night’s slate of WNBA games, we are getting closer to having a better idea of those answers.
With Minnesota’s win over the San Antonio Stars on Friday night in San Antonio, Minnesota clinched homecourt advantage in the semifinal round of the playoffs.
Since the WNBA came out with their new playoff format prior to the 2016 season, the Lynx have now clinched homecourt advantage in the semifinals and a top two seed for the second straight season.
So what does this mean?
Well, it insures that the Lynx will play at least two games at home in the best-of-five semifinal round against an opponent that has yet to be determined.
Minnesota, which will be playing all of their home playoff games at the University of Minnesota’s Williams Arena this postseason, will get a bye in the first two rounds of the WNBA Playoffs and will host their first playoff game on Sept. 12.
The first two games of that best-of-five series will be played in Minnesota, with the Lynx hitting the road for Game 3. Game 4 (if necessary) would be on the road, with Game 5 (if necessary) coming back to Williams Arena.
Per WNBA.com, here’s the expected schedule for the semifinal round:
SEMIFINALS – Hosted by Seeds 1 and 2 (2-2-1)
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 12
Game 2: Thursday, Sept. 14
Game 3: Sunday, Sept. 17
Game 4: Tuesday, Sept. 19 (if necessary)
Game 5: Thursday, Sept. 21 (if necessary)
The first round of the WNBA Playoffs are set to begin on Sept. 6, with the second round being played on Sept. 10.
With a win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday in Los Angeles, the Lynx can clinch the No. 1 overall seed for the playoffs, which would give them homecourt advantage throughout postseason play.