It seems like yesterday that the Lynx were tipping off their 2019 season, but here we are with just five games left in the season and Minnesota on the brink of clinching a playoff appearance.

One more loss by the Fever and Liberty and a win by the Lynx on Sunday gets Minnesota in. While it won’t be easy to beat the Aces, the Lynx are playing at home and they’ll certainly be fired up to get their playoff spot clinched. Even if it doesn’t happen on Sunday, though, the Lynx are practically a lock to get into the postseason.

But once they get in, what happens?

A two key facts about the WNBA playoffs for those that need a refresher:

-Conferences do not matter for seeding.
-There are eight teams that make it
-The first two rounds are single-elimination.

In the first round of the playoffs, the No. 8 and No. 7 seeds play on the road at the No. 5 and 6 teams’ home arenas. The winners of those games visit the No. 4 and 3 seeds. These first two rounds are full of excitement. Win or go home atmospheres bring out a level of intensity in both the crowds and players that is tough to match in any other environment.

After that, the playoffs proceed as best of five series with the No. 1 and 2 seeds holding homecourt.

The Lynx will certainly have to play in two single-elimination rounds to make it deep into the playoffs, but they are still in the fight for homecourt advantage. That fact gives the last five games of a season a high level of excitement. It’s going to be a fun few weeks.