A first-round opponent almost determined for Lynx -- but not quite

San Antonio is in the playoffs. The visiting Silver Stars thumped LA 82-65 on Tuesday, assuring themselves of the fourth spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

So that means they play the first place Lynx, right? Well, probably. But it's not 100 percent certain.

There is one scenario left in which San Antonio (16-16) could tie Phoenix (18-13). If that happened, the Silver Stars have the tiebreaker -- they won the season series with the Mercury 3-2 -- and would be the third seed while Phoenix would drop to the fourth seed.

And Phoenix, in that case, would play the Lynx in the Western Conference semifinals.

For that to happen, San Antonio has to win its last two games and Phoenix has to lose its last three. That's unlikely. Here are the Western Conference standings and the games left for San Antonio and Phoenix:

West W L

Lynx 25 7

Phoenix 18 13 Tulsa (Thus.), at Seattle (Fri.), Lynx (Sun.)

San Antonio 16 16 Wash (Sat.), at Tulsa (Sun.)

Comments: The Silver Stars certainly have two winnable games, playing the Mystics (6-26), the last place team in the East, at home and then Tulsa (3-28), the last place team in the West, on the road.

But will Phoenix lose its last three games? They are 3-0 vs. Tulsa, beating the Shock by 8, 39 and 22 points. And this game is in Arizona.

If they get upset by Tulsa, it could get interesting. The Mercury will have trouble winning in Seattle -- everybody does -- and Phoenix is 1-2 against the Storm this season. If their seed comes down to Sunday, Phoenix is 1-2 against the Lynx. But Minnesota will not have much to play for; Lynx subs might play a lot.

San Antonio looks like a much easier matchup. The Lynx are 4-0 against the Silver Stars this season.

Guard Becky Hammon of San Antonio had 37 points against Los Angeles, but she has struggled against the Lynx. With Seimone Augustus guarding her, Hammon had zero points (0 for 8 from the field) and nine points (1 for 9) in two games against the Lynx in late August.

Whoever the Lynx play, their playoff series will start either Thurs., Sept. 15 or Fri., Sept. 16. at Target Center. The second game of the best-of-three series will be on the road and third game, if necessary back at Target Center.

The Lynx are 13-3 at home. Only Seattle (13-2) and Connecticut (14-2) have better home records.

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT

A 2011 highlights video also will be played after the game.