Suns-Warriors flexed to replace Lakers-Clippers on ESPN

A Phoenix Suns win against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday spiked the national television ratings, and that likely has a lot to do with the NBA announcing a TV schedule flex for a rematch between the teams on Friday.

Their 8 p.m. game will now be broadcasted by ESPN, which was previously set to feature a Los Angeles battle between the Clippers and Lakers.

Phoenix (18-3) defeated Golden State 104-96 at the Footprint Center in a TNT-televised game Tuesday. The game, which was preceded by the New York Knicks falling to the Brooklyn Nets, was part of the network’s most-watched non-opening night double-header since 2019, Turner Sports announced Wednesday.

The Suns’ win against the Warriors averaged 2.4 million viewers, TNT’s most-watched non-opening night game since Dec. 19, 2019 (Bucks-Lakers).

Before facing Golden State (18-3) again, Phoenix beat the Detroit Pistons on Thursday to keep its winning streak alive and set a franchise record for consecutive wins at 18 in a row.

The Suns will look to keep their streak alive without Devin Booker, who due to a hamstring injury will miss at least “a few games,” general manager James Jones confirmed to Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Wednesday.

The Suns-Warriors game will air on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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