In what should be one of the NBA Play-In Tournament’s most intriguing pairings, two of the West’s most exciting up-and-comers go head-to-head as the 9-seed Pelicans host the 10-seed Thunder on Wednesday.
The two teams are playing for a chance to extend their season with one more Play-In game on Friday. The loser will head home to begin their offseason.
While New Orleans had its fair share of ups and downs this season, it finished with a 42-40 record and won seven of its last 10 games. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, exceeded many preseason expectations to win 40 games and advance to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
The winner will head to Minnesota, where they will take on the Timberwolves for the final spot in the NBA Playoffs and a date with the Nuggets. It all starts on Wednesday.
The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know in order to tune into this Play-In game.
PLAY-IN PREVIEWS: Raptors vs. Bulls | Pelicans vs. Thunder
What channel is Pelicans vs. Thunder on?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Sling TV
In the United States, Pelicans vs. Thunder will air nationally on ESPN. Mike Breen will handle play-by-play duties alongside analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. Lisa Salters will report from the sideline.
Viewers in the U.S. can also stream the game on Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch postseason games from the NBA Play-In Tournament through the NBA Finals on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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What time is Pelicans vs. Thunder?
- Date: Wednesday, April 12
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET | 6:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Pelicans vs. Thunder from the Smoothie King Center will tip off around 9:30 p.m. ET, which is 8:30 p.m. local time in New Orleans.
MORE: Dates, TV schedule, brackets for 2023 NBA Playoffs
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
Tuesday, April 11
| Game | |
| Game 1 | Hawks 116, Heat 105 |
| Game 2 | Lakers 108, Timberwolves 102 (OT) |
Wednesday, April 12
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel | |
| Game 3 | Bulls vs. Raptors | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 4 | Thunder vs. Pelicans | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Friday, April 14
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel | |
| Game 5 | Winner of Game 3 vs. Heat | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6 | Winner of Game 4 vs. Timberwolves | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
NBA Playoff matchups 2023
Eastern Conference
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Hawks
(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Knicks
Western Conference
(1) Nuggets vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Lakers
(3) Kings vs. (6) Warriors
(4) Suns vs. (5) Clippers
NBA Playoff schedule 2023: First round
The NBA has released the schedule for the first weekend of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Check back for updates on the full schedule for the entirety of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
(All times Eastern)
Saturday, April 15
| Game | Time | National TV (US) |
| Nets vs. 76ers (Game 1) | 1 p.m. | ESPN |
| Hawks vs. Celtics (Game 1) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Knicks vs. Cavaliers (Game 1) | 6 p.m. | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Kings (Game 1) | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
Sunday, April 16
| Game | Time | National TV (US) |
| Lakers vs. Grizzlies (Game 1) | 3 p.m. | ABC |
| No. 8 seed vs. Bucks (Game 1) | 5:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Clippers vs. Suns (Game 1) | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| No. 8 seed vs. Nuggets (Game 1) | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |