Lynx face the Mercury in the WNBA semifinals in pursuit of a fifth title

The top-seeded Lynx are playing the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA semifinals as they attempt to return to the Finals for the second year in a row.

The Lynx are in search of their fifth WNBA championship, which would be the most in league history. Minnesota last won a title in 2017.

The Lynx swept the eighth-seeded Golden State Valkyries in the best-of-three first round of the playoffs, while the Mercury dispatched the defending champion New York Liberty two games to one.

Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-five semifinal series are at Target Center. Then the series will shift to PHX Arena in Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday. Game 5, if necessary, will be at Target Center on Sept. 30.

The other semifinal series pits the second-seeded Las Vegas Aces, led by league MVP A’ja Wilson, against the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever, who are playing without the injured Caitlin Clark.

The WNBA Finals are best-of-seven and start Friday, Oct. 3. The Lynx would have home-court advantage if they advance.

(playoff teams only)

Sept. 21

Sept. 23

Sept. 26

Sept. 28

Sept. 30 (if necessary)

Game 2: Sunday Oct. 5, 2 p.m. (ABC)

Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 4: Friday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 5 (if necessary): Sunday, Oct. 12, 2 p.m. (ABC)

Game 6 (if necessary): Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. (ESPN)