NBA Injury News & Starting Lineups (April 23): Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown Questionable Friday

Omar Rawlings/Getty Images. Pictured: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets.

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

Kevin Durant has been upgraded from out to questionable in advance of Friday’s game against the Boston Celtics. Durant has missed the previous two games due to a left thigh contusion he sustained on Sunday. Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash previously mentioned that Durant could return this weekend, and it remains to be seen if he’ll have a minutes limit if he’s able to suit up.

On the other side of that matchup, Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury and Kemba Walker is doubtful on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Atlanta Hawks could be without Trae Young during a critical stretch for their postseason push Per our NBA Insiders tool:

An MRI revealed a Grade 2 lateral ankle sprain for Young, and he’s expected to be able to return to play once the swelling and discomfort have subsided, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This is relatively good news as it was feared the sprain was possibly of the high ankle variety which would require a much longer absence. Young had to be helped to the locker room after suffering the injury during Wednesday’s loss. He has been ruled out for at least the next two games.

The Hawks released a lengthy injury report in advance of Friday’s game against the Miami Heat that lists Clint Capela (back) and Danilo Gallinari (foot) as questionable, and Tony Snell (ankle) as doubtful.

Tyler Herro is listed questionable as he continues to deal with a sore foot. He missed Monday’s win with the injury and was questionable heading into Wednesday’s win before being cleared and playing 25.5 minutes off the bench. Andre Iguodala has been removed from the injury report after missing the previous game due to a sore left hip.

Juan Toscano-Anderson was upgraded from out to questionable after missing the previous two games due to the concussion protocols. He received 35 stitches for a gash in his head that led to the concussion.

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

The must-have app for NBA bettors

The best NBA betting scoreboard

Free picks from proven pros

Live win probabilities for your bets

DOWNLOAD NOW

Projected Starting Lineups

Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET)

Celtics Projected Lineup

PG – Marcus Smart
SG – Romeo Langford
SF – Jayson Tatum
PF – Semi Ojeleye
C – Tristan Thompson

Injury news: Jaylen Brown (Shoulder) is questionable; Kemba Walker (Rest), Evan Fournier (COVID Protocols) and Robert Williams (Knee) are doubtful

Nets Projected Lineup

PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – Landry Shamet
SF – Joe Harris
PF – Jeff Green
C – Blake Griffin

Injury news: Kevin Durant (Thigh) is questionable; Tyler Johnson (Knee) is doubtful; Nic Claxton (COVID Protocols) is out

Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET)

Heat Projected Lineup

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

Injury news: Gabe Vincent (Knee) is probable

Hawks Projected Lineup

PG – Brandon Goodwin
SG – Bogdan Bogdanovic
SF – Kevin Huerter
PF – John Collins
C – Clint Capela

Injury news: Danilo Gallinari (Foot) and Clint Capela (Back) are questionable;
Tony Snell (Ankle) is doubtful; De’Andre Hunter (Knee) and Trae Young (Ankle) are out

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets (8 p.m. ET)

Clippers Projected Lineup

PG – Reggie Jackson
SG – Luke Kennard
SF – Paul George
PF – Marcus Morris
C – Ivica Zubac

Injury news: Rajon Rondo (Wrist) is questionable

Rockets Projected Lineup

PG – John Wall
SG – Danuel House
SF – Jae’Sean Tate
PF – Kelly Olynyk
C – Christian Wood

Injury news: Danuel House (Ankle) is probable; Kevin Porter Jr. (COVID Protocols) is out

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets (8 p.m. ET)

Cavaliers Projected Lineup

PG – Darius Garland
SG – Collin Sexton
SF – Isaac Okoro
PF – Kevin Love
C – Jarrett Allen

Injury news: Nothing new

Hornets Projected Lineup

PG – Devonte’ Graham
SG – Terry Rozier
SF – Jalen McDaniels
PF – Miles Bridges
C – Vernon Carey

Injury news: Nate Darling (Ankle) is doubtful

Washington Wizards vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET)

Wizards Projected Lineup

PG – Russell Westbrook
SG – Raul Neto
SF – Bradley Beal
PF – Davis Bertans
C – Alex Len

Injury news: Chandler Hutchison (Ankle) is questionable; Rui Hachimura (Knee) is out

Thunder Projected Lineup

PG – Theo Maledon
SG – Lu Dort
SF – Aleksej Pokusevski
PF – Darius Bazley
C – Moses Brown

Injury news: Lu Dort (Hip) is questionable

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET)

Grizzlies Projected Lineup

PG – Ja Morant
SG – Grayson Allen
SF – Dillon Brooks
PF – Kyle Anderson
C – Xavier Tillman

Injury news: Jonas Valanciunas (Concussion) is out

Trail Blazers Projected Lineup

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

Injury news: Derrick Jones Jr. (Hip) is questionable

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET)

Nuggets Projected Lineup

PG – Facundo Campazzo
SG – Will Barton
SF – Aaron Gordon
PF – Michael Porter Jr.
C – Nikola Jokic