What time is Pelicans vs. Thunder on today? TV schedule, channel for 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament game

Gilbert McGregor

What time is Pelicans vs. Thunder on today? TV schedule, channel for 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament game image

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?

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

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.