NBA Injury News & Starting Lineups (May 2): LeBron James Questionable, Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected to Play Sunday

Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Thanasis Antetokounmpo #43 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Friday’s NBA slate, along with notable injury news for each squad. For real-time updates to these lineups, check out our Action Labs NBA lineups page.

NBA Injury News

The Milwaukee Bucks are optimistic that they will have their star when they face the Brooklyn Nets in Sunday’s NBA Showcase. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the previous Bucks game due to a sprained right ankle, but he has been upgraded to probable. Donte DiVincenzo, who has a toe injury, has been removed from the injury report after also missing the win on Friday.

The Lakers continue to list Anthony Davis as probable, though he has played five straight games after his calf injury. Davis is no longer dealing with a minute restriction and has played three-straight 30-minute games.

LeBron James and Alex Caruso (back) are listed questionable prior to the contest on Sunday. James made his return to the lineup on Friday after missing five weeks due to a sprained right ankle. The Lakers will likely list him on the injury report for the rest of the regular season and prior to every postseason game as James confirmed to the media he is not 100% healthy.

Kemba Walker, who has been sidelined for three games due to a strained left oblique, is doubtful ahead of the Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Evan Fournier has started with Walker unavailable, but his usage rate has crated to a minuscule 13.3% over the past five games as he has returned from health and safety protocols.

Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real-time updates.

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Projected Starting Lineups

Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks (3:30 p.m. ET)

Nets Projected Lineup

PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – Landry Shamet
SF – Joe Harris
PF – Kevin Durant
C – Jeff Green

Injury news: Nothing new

Bucks Projected Lineup

PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
C – Brook Lopez

Injury news: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Ankle) is probable


Portland Trail Blazers vs. Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET)

Trail Blazers Projected Lineup

PG – Damian Lillard
SG – CJ McCollum
SF – Norman Powell
PF – Robert Covington
C – Jusuf Nurkic

Injury news: Nothing new

Celtics Projected Lineup

PG – Marcus Smart
SG – Evan Fournier
SF – Jaylen Brown
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Robert Williams

Injury news: Kemba Walker (Oblique) is doubtful


New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets (8 p.m. ET)

Knicks Projected Lineup

PG – Elfrid Payton
SG – RJ Barrett
SF – Reggie Bullock
PF – Julius Randle
C – Nerlens Noel

Injury news: Alec Burks (COVID Protocols) is questionable

Rockets Projected Lineup

PG – Kevin Porter Jr.
SG – Armoni Brooks
SF – Jae’Sean Tate
PF – Kelly Olynyk
C – Christian Wood

Injury news: Avery Bradley (Leg) and Danuel House (Ankle) are questionable


Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET)

Suns Projected Lineup

PG – Chris Paul
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Mikal Bridges
PF – Torrey Craig
C – Deandre Ayton

Injury news: Cam Johnson (Wrist) is probable; Cameron Payne (Knee) is questionable; Jae Crowder (Ankle) and Abdel Nader (Knee) are out

Thunder Projected Lineup

PG – Theo Maledon
SG – Charlie Brown
SF – Darius Bazley
PF – Isaiah Roby
C – Moses Brown

Injury news: Lu Dort (Hip) and Aleksej Pokusevski (Knee) are questionable


Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks (8 p.m. ET)

Kings Projected Lineup

PG – Tyrese Haliburton
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Maurice Harkless
PF – Marvin Bagley
C – Richaun Holmes

Injury news: Harrison Barnes (Adductor) and Chimezie Metu (Back) are doubtful; De’Aaron Fox (COVID Protocols) is out

Mavericks Projected Lineup

PG – Luka Doncic
SG – Josh Richardson
SF – Dorian Finney-Smith
PF – Maxi Kleber
C – Dwight Powell

Injury news: Kristaps Porzingis (Knee) is out


Philadelphia 76ers vs. San Antonio Spurs (8 p.m. ET)

76ers Projected Lineup

PG – Ben Simmons
SG – Seth Curry
SF – Danny Green
PF – Tobias Harris
C – Joel Embiid

Injury news: Nothing new

Spurs Projected Lineup

PG – Dejounte Murray
SG – Devin Vassell
SF – DeMar DeRozan
PF – Keldon Johnson
C – Jakob Poeltl

Injury news: Dejounte Murray (Knee) is questionable


Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets (8 p.m. ET)

Heat Projected Lineup

PG – Kendrick Nunn
SG – Jimmy Butler
SF – Duncan Robinson
PF – Trevor Ariza
C – Bam Adebayo

Injury news: Nemanja Bjelica (Illness) and Udonis Haslem (Illness) are questionable; Tyler Herro (Foot) and Victor Oladipo (Knee) are out

Hornets Projected Lineup

PG – LaMelo Ball
SG – Terry Rozier
SF – Cody Martin
PF – Miles Bridges
C – PJ Washington

Injury news: Devonte’ Graham (Knee) is questionable


Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET)

Raptors Projected Lineup

PG – Kyle Lowry
SG – Fred VanVleet
SF – OG Anunoby
PF – Pascal Siakam
C – Khem Birch

Injury news: Gary Trent Jr. (Leg) is doubtful

Lakers Projected Lineup

PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – LeBron James
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Andre Drummond

Injury news: Marc Gasol (Finger), Anthony Davis (Calf), Dennis Schroder (Calf), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Ankle) and Kyle Kuzma (Thumb) are probable; LeBron James (Ankle) and Alex Caruso (Back) are questionable


Phan’s Bet to Watch

As of 9 a.m. ET, Justin Phan isn’t seeing betting value in any games. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.

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