The 9-seed Pelicans and 10-seed Thunder took different routes to get here, but it all comes down to their meeting in the first round of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
While injuries derailed a season of high hopes for New Orleans (42-40), Oklahoma City (40-42) exceeded all expectations, including a preseason over/under the projection of 23.5 wins. Now, the two teams meet for an opportunity to extend their season.
What’s on the line? A trip to Minnesota, where the winner of Wednesday’s game will meet the Timberwolves in another winner-takes-all situation on Friday. If the Pelicans or Thunder can string together two consecutive Play-In wins, they’ll then head to Denver to face the 1-seed Nuggets on Sunday.
First things first, though — there is a game to be played on Wednesday. Will it be Brandon Ingram that leads the Pelicans in a manner similar to what he did in the 2022 Play-In Tournament? Or will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder continue to do the unexpected by getting one step closer to the playoffs?
The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know in order to watch Wednesday’s Western Conference Play-In game.
PLAY-IN PREVIEWS: Raptors vs. Bulls | Pelicans vs. Thunder
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
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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NBA Play-In Tournament schedule, results
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 |