PHOENIX SUNS

Phoenix Suns’ opponent in 1st round of playoffs will be Clippers or Pelicans

Apr 13, 2022, 9:03 PM
Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns talks with Chris Paul #3 during the second half of th...
Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns talks with Chris Paul #3 during the second half of the NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Footprint Center on December 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Thunder 113-101. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns’ list of potential opponents for the first round of the NBA playoffs is down to two teams: the Los Angeles Clippers and the New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans beat the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night and will now travel to L.A. to take on the Clippers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves the night prior. The winner of that game on Friday will become the eighth seed and face the Suns in Phoenix for Game 1 on Sunday.

The Suns had a similar type of experience last season as the No. 2 seed, waiting during the week to see who they would play. Phoenix, however, has to wait two extra days this time around as the top seed.

A meeting with the Clippers would be a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals, a series the Suns won in six games. The in-season matchups don’t offer a good perspective, as seven-time All-Star Paul George missed the first three games and the Suns rested four starters for the fourth.

The Pelicans are led by Willie Green, the lead assistant for Suns head coach Monty Williams’ first two years in Phoenix before Green took the job in New Orleans last postseason. New Orleans has been an improved team since acquiring guard C.J. McCollum in mid-February and beat the Suns on the road on Feb. 25 when Phoenix was without Chris Paul. Two weeks later, the Suns beat the Pelicans in New Orleans 131-115.

Friday’s game between the Clippers and Pelicans tips off at 7 p.m. on TNT.

Phoenix Suns

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, drives around Phoenix Suns forward Torr...
Kevin Zimmerman

What’s at stake in each of the Suns’ remaining games?

Kevin Durant's potential return from an ankle injury after a reevaluation sits a week out for the Phoenix Suns.
18 hours ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket past Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns collapse in 4th quarter of road loss to Thunder

The Suns were in control for most of Sunday's game against the Thunder but bad turnovers eventually caught up to them.
3 days ago
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)...
Wills Rice

Landry Shamet plays well in Suns return, loss to Thunder

The Suns collapsed late in the 124-120 loss to the Thunder on Sunday in guard Landry Shamet's return after missing 25 games to a heel injury.
3 days ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Landry Shamet #14 after scoring against the Washin...
Arizona Sports

Suns rule Deandre Ayton out, Landry Shamet probable vs. Thunder

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton will not suit up Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a right hip contusion.
4 days ago
Radio broadcaster Al McCoy following the NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunde...
Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns’ 2022-23 season will be Al McCoy’s last

This Phoenix Suns season will be the last for legendary broadcaster Al McCoy as the team's play-by-play voice on Arizona Sports 98.7.
5 days ago
Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns blocks a shot by Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during t...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns hold on vs. Magic to snap 3-game losing streak

Sometimes getting that win to end a skid is like pulling teeth, and it was like that for the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
6 days ago
Phoenix Suns’ opponent in 1st round of playoffs will be Clippers or Pelicans