No. 4 vs. No. 5-seeded matchups are always fun, but they aren't always as star-studded as the one we're going to see in Round 1 of the Western Conference Playoffs.
The Clippers and Suns will face off to begin their respective postseasons, as Devin Booker and Kevin Durant lead Phoenix against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.
Make no mistake regarding their seeding: These are two teams with legitimate championship aspirations, and this series is definitely going to get chippy. The Clippers got testy with each other in the last game of the regular season against the Suns last week. They're going to be channeling that energy against Phoenix starting Sunday.
MORE: Dates, TV schedule, brackets for 2023 NBA Playoffs
This series is also a rematch of the 2021 Western Conference Finals, which the Suns took 4-2.
The Clippers are a hair shorthanded in this series, as Paul George continues to recover from a knee injury he suffered against the Thunder late last month. But Kawhi Leonard and the surprising Russell Westbrook will look to continue to pick up the slack.
The Suns have been tapped as championship favorites since landing Durant from the Nets via trade midseason.
Here's what to know about watching Suns vs. Clippers Game 1 in Phoenix.
SERIES PREVIEW: Can Clippers overcome Paul George's knee injury vs. Suns?
What channel is Clippers vs. Suns on?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live streaming: Sling TV
Basketball fans will be able to find Sunday's contest between the Clippers and Suns on TNT. There will also be options to stream the game on TNT's streaming app or with Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA's biggest playoff games 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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Clippers vs. Suns start time
- Date: Sunday, April 16
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Sunday's game will start at 8 p.m. (5 p.m. local), and will be played at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
MORE: Dates, TV schedule, brackets for 2023 NBA Playoffs
Clippers vs. Suns series schedule, TV channels
Game 1 of the seven-game series between the Clippers and Suns will take place on Sunday, April 16. The series will shift to Los Angeles for Game 3 and return to Phoenix for Game 5 if necessary.
Below is a full schedule for the Clippers vs. Suns playoff series.
| Date | Game | Location | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, April 16 | Game 1 | Footprint Center | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Tuesday, April 18 | Game 2 | Footprint Center | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Thursday, April 20 | Game 3 | Crypto.com Arena | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Saturday, April 22 | Game 4 | Crypto.com Arena | 3:30 p.m. | TBD |
| Tuesday, April 25 | Game 5* | Footprint Center | TBD | TBD |
| Thursday, April 27 | Game 6* | Crypto.com Arena | TBD | TBD |
| Saturday, April 29 | Game 7* | Footprint Center | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
