#WNBAPlayoffs: Lynx to play first two home games during 2016 Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center
The Minnesota Lynx will play their first two home games during the 2016 WNBA Playoffs at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, due to scheduling conflicts at Target Center. The games will take place in late September.
The Lynx have clinched home court advantage throughout the WNBA playoffs and as a result, the team will receive a bye through the first two single-elimination rounds. They will begin with home court advantage in the WNBA semifinals. The semifinal round is a best-of-five format, guaranteeing at least two home games for the Lynx.
The Xcel Energy Center will also be the team’s venue for home games for the 2017 season as Target Center renovation work is completed.
The WNBA regular season ends Sept. 18. The playoffs begin Sept. 21.
Current WNBA standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | CONF | HOME | ROAD | L-10 | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lynx – x | 26 | 5 | 0.839 | – | 15-1 | 14-2 | 12-3 | 9-1 | W 5 |
| Los Angeles Sparks – x | 24 | 8 | 0.750 | 2.5 | 9-5 | 12-3 | 12-5 | 4-6 | L 3 |
| New York Liberty – x | 21 | 11 | 0.656 | 5.5 | 11-3 | 10-6 | 11-5 | 5-5 | L 1 |
| Indiana Fever – x | 16 | 15 | 0.516 | 10 | 8-7 | 7-8 | 9-7 | 7-3 | W 3 |
| Atlanta Dream – x | 16 | 15 | 0.516 | 10 | 8-7 | 10-5 | 6-10 | 5-5 | L 1 |
| Chicago Sky – x | 16 | 15 | 0.516 | 10 | 7-8 | 9-6 | 7-9 | 7-3 | W 1 |
| Seattle Storm – x | 15 | 17 | 0.469 | 11.5 | 7-8 | 9-7 | 6-10 | 7-3 | W 4 |
| Phoenix Mercury | 14 | 17 | 0.452 | 12 | 4-9 | 10-6 | 4-11 | 6-4 | W 1 |
| Washington Mystics | 12 | 19 | 0.387 | 14 | 7-6 | 5-11 | 7-8 | 3-7 | L 2 |
| Connecticut Sun – o | 11 | 20 | 0.355 | 15 | 2-12 | 6-9 | 5-11 | 5-5 | L 3 |
| Dallas Wings – o | 11 | 21 | 0.344 | 15.5 | 8-8 | 6-11 | 5-10 | 2-8 | W 2 |
| San Antonio Stars – o | 6 | 25 | 0.194 | 20 | 1-13 | 4-12 | 2-13 | 1-9 | L 6 |
- x: Clinched Playoffs Berth
- o: Eliminated from Playoffs contention
Playoffs Schedule
First round (single elimination)
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 … 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 … 9:00 p.m. ET
Second round (single elimination)
Sunday, September 25, 2016 … 1:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, September 25, 2016… 3:00 p.m. ET
Semifinals (best-of-5-game format)
(Game 1) Wednesday, September 28, 2016 … 7:00 p.m. ET
(Game 1) Wednesday, September 28, 2016 … 9:00 p.m. ET
(Game 2) Friday, September 30, 2016 … 7:00 p.m. ET
(Game 2) Friday, September 30, 2016 … 9:00 p.m. ET
(Game 3) Sunday, October 2, 2016 … 3:00 p.m. ET
(Game 3) Sunday, October 2, 2016 … 5:00 p.m. ET
(Game 4*) Tuesday, October 4, 2016 … 7:00 p.m. ET
(Game 4*) Tuesday, October 4, 2016 … 9:00 p.m. ET
(Game 5*) Thursday, October 6, 2016 … 7:00 p.m. ET
(Game 5*) Thursday, October 6, 2016 … 7:00 p.m. ET
Finals (best-of-5-game format)
(Game 1) Sunday, October 9, 2016 … 3:00 p.m. ET
(Game 2) Tuesday, October 11, 2016 … 8:00 p.m. ET
(Game 3) Friday, October 14, 2016 … 8:00 p.m. ET
(Game 4*) Sunday, October 16, 2016 … 8:00 p.m. ET
(Game 5*) Thursday, October 20, 2016 … 8:00 p.m. ET
* If necessary
