What channel is Suns vs. Blazers on today? Time, TV schedule to watch 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On Tuesday’s opening slate of Play-In Tournament games, the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers will succeed the Hornets vs. Heat game (7:30 p.m. ET) at roughly 10 p.m. ET.
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This year marks the first time in NBA history that the entirety of the NBA Play-In Tournament will be exclusively aired on Amazon Prime.
Despite head coach Chauncey Billups’ firing just one game into the season for having knowledge of an illegal mafia-backed gambling ring, the Blazers have still kept their head above water and are potentially a game away from making the playoffs. Interim coach Tiago Splitter picked up the reins and ran with it, leading the Blazers to a 42-39 record with him at the helm.
After trading Anfernee Simons to the Boston Celtics before the season, Portland’s youth is what helped them succeed this season. Most Improved Player of the Year candidate Deni Avdija (24.2 PPG) and second-year player Donovan Clingan (11.6 RPG) have led the team in scoring and rebounds, and will look to exploit a much smaller Phoenix lineup.
Across the timeline stands the Suns, who are playing in their first-ever Play-In Tournament game. As the No. 7 seed, if Phoenix were to beat the Blazers, they would automatically get into the playoffs. A loss would mean playing the winner of the Clippers–Warriors game. Devin Booker will look to lead his team into the playoffs with as few question marks as possible. He is joined by Dillon Brooks, who scored 40 points for the first time in his career this season against the Pistons.
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Phoenix holds its own on the defensive side of the ball and makes up for its offensive woes. The 26th-highest scoring team (112.3 PPG), which is the lowest-scoring team in the playoff picture, holds opponents to a three-point shooting percentage of just 34.6%, a mark that is the second-lowest in the league. Along with this, they average just 111.2 points per game against them, which is the sixth-lowest in the league.
Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s matchup between the Suns and Blazers, including broadcast information and start time.
What channel is Suns vs. Blazers on today?
Under the NBA’s new media rights agreement, every game of the 2026 Play-In Tournament will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video, marking the first time the entire tournament has shifted to a streaming-only platform.
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Suns vs. Blazers start time
The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament game between Phoenix and Portland is set to tip off Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
Through their three matchups during the 2025-2026 season, the Suns hold a 2-1 game advantage over the Blazers. Their last playoff matchup came in the 2010 first round, when Jason Richardson, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Steve Nash led Phoenix to a 4-2 series win over LaMarcus Aldridge and the Blazers.
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule 2026
Date
Game
Time (ET)
Watch
Tue., April 14
Hornets vs. Heat
7:30 p.m.
Suns vs. Trail Blazers
10 p.m.
Prime Video
Wed., April 15
Sixers vs. Magic
7:30 p.m.
Prime Video
Clippers vs. Warriors
10 p.m.
Prime Video
Fri., April 17
Hornets/Heat winner vs. Sixers/Magic loser
7:30 p.m.
Prime Video
Suns/Blazers loser vs. Clippers/Warriors winner
10 p.m.
Prime Video
NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason.
Event
Dates
Play-In Tournament
April 14-17
First round begins
April 18
Conference semifinals begin
May 4*
NBA Draft Lottery
May 10
Eastern Conference finals begin
May 19*
Western Conference finals begin
May 20*
NBA Finals begin
June 3
NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary)
June 19
* Can move up depending on earlier series
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