As the first-round series shifts to New Orleans for Friday's Game 3, things have gotten interesting between the Suns and Pelicans.
After Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker was forced to exit Game 2 with a hamstring injury, the Pelicans took full advantage, pulling away for an 11-point win behind the play of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and Larry Nance Jr.
"That's a big 🤬 win!"
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 20, 2022
In the locker room after the W 🙌#OneNOLA | #WBD pic.twitter.com/J8NzCUkAbs
With Booker's injury ruled as a Grade 1 hamstring strain, his status for the remainder of the series is now in jeopardy as he is believed to be out for two-to-three weeks.
MORE: How long is Devin Booker out? Hamstring injury recovery time, return date for Suns star
What will happen in Booker's absence?
With the Pelicans now holding home court advantage, there will be an increased sense of urgency for other Suns players to step up and get a road win, while New Orleans' crowd is sure to be lively for the first NBA Playoff game the city has seen in nearly four years.
Chris Paul, who is no stranger to playoff action in New Orleans, took over in the Suns' Game 1 win, but they'll have to lean on Cameron Johnson and Landry Shamet to step up while Booker is sidelined. Will that be enough?
Phoenix earned the league's top record for a reason but New Orleans has an upset on its mind after stealing one on the road. Who will come out on top Friday?
Here is all you need to know about Game 3 between the Suns and Pelicans.
What channel is Suns vs. Pelicans on?
- Date: Friday, April 22
- TV channel: ESPN (U.S.), TSN 1/3/4 (CA)
- Live streaming: Sling TV (U.S. only) | Watch ESPN | TSN Direct
In the United States, Suns vs. Pelicans will air on ESPN. Mark Jones will handle play-by-play duties alongside analyst Doris Burke. Cassidy Hubbarth will provide sideline reports. In Canada, Suns vs. Pelicans will air on TSN 1/3/4.
Viewers in the United States can stream Game 3 on Watch ESPN or Sling TV.
Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NBA Playoff game live on SLING TV. With the SLING Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV. NBA Playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with SLING Orange, available for $35 per month including $25 the first month for new subscribers.
MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV (U.S. only)
Viewers in Canada can stream Suns vs. Pelicans on TSN Direct.
Suns vs. Pelicans Game 3 start time
- Date: Friday, April 22
- Time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT
Due to a delay in the first half of ESPN's doubleheader, Game 3 of the Suns vs. Pelicans series will tip off around 10 p.m. ET on Friday.
Pelicans-Suns has been delayed to a 9 pm CT tip-off
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 22, 2022
The game will be played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Suns vs. Pelicans schedule, TV channels
Here is the complete schedule for the first-round series between the Suns and Pelicans. Games 3 and 4 will be played in New Orleans before things shift back to Phoenix for Game 5 next Tuesday.
| Date | Game | Location | Time (ET) | TV channel (US) |
| April 22 | Game 3 | Smoothie King Center | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 24 | Game 4 | Smoothie King Center | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 26 | Game 5 | Footprint Center | TBD | TBD |
| April 28 | Game 6* | Smoothie King Centeer | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 7* | Footprint Center | TBD | TNT |
*if necessary
