Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies
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.
Friday’s NBA Injury News
The NBA continues to deal with postponements due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Two Friday games — Washington Wizards-Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors-Phoenix Suns — were called off.
The Boston Celtics are hoping to get a group a players back if they clear protocols, including Jaylen Brown. Tristan Thompson and Grant Williams are off the injury report since completing their mandated quarantine.
On the injury front, Eric Bledsoe is questionable to play for the against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday as he continues to deal with eye irritation. Anthony Davis, who is dealing with a tight lower back, strained adductor and jammed toe, is also questionable for that game, though he has played through injuries the past three games.
Ja Morant is questionable to return to the Memphis Grizzlies lineup since injuring his ankle against the Brooklyn Nets weeks ago.
Per our NBA Insiders tool:
Morant has been upgraded to questionable in advance of Friday’s game. This comes as a surprise as he’s just a little over two weeks into what was expected to be a three-to-five week timetable for a sprained ankle. It seems likely Morant will be on some sort of limit initially when he’s able to return and will push Tyus Jones back to a more limited reserve role.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real time updates.
Wednesday’s Projected Starting Lineups
Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons (PPD)
The Washington Wizards will not have the league-required eight available players.
Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns (PPD)
No Suns players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 as of now, but the team will not have the required eight available players.
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (7 p.m. ET)
Magic Projected Lineup
PG – Cole Anthony
SG – Dwayne Bacon
SF – James Ennis
PF – Aaron Gordon
C – Nikola Vucevic
Injury news: Michael Carter-Williams (foot), Evan Fournier (back), and Mo Bamba (health protocols) are out.
Celtics Projected Lineup
PG – Marcus Smart
SG – Jaylen Brown
SF – Semi Ojeleye
PF – Daniel Theis
C – Tristan Thompson
Injury news: Grant Williams and Tristan Thompson have cleared health and safety protocols, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis, Javonte Green, and Semi Ojeleye are questionable and Carsen Edwards is out.
Dallas Mavericks at Milwaukee Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET)
Mavericks Projected Lineup
PG – Luka Doncic
SG – Josh Green
SF – Tim Hardaway Jr.
PF – Kristaps Porzingis
C – Willy Cauley-Stein
Injury news: Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is probable, Dwight Powell, Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jalen Brunson are out due to health and safety protocols.
Bucks Projected Lineup
PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
C – Brook Lopez
Injury news: Jrue Holiday (ankle) and Torrey Craig (nose) are probable.
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET)
Knicks Projected Lineup
PG – Elfrid Payton
SG – Austin Rivers
SF – RJ Barrett
PF – Julius Randle
C – Mitchell Robinson
Injury news: Reggie Bullock (hip) is questionable, Alec Burks (ankle) is doubtful and Frank Ntilikina (knee) is out.
Cavaliers Projected Lineup
PG – Damyean Dotson
SG – Isaac Okoro
SF – Cedi Osman
PF – Larry Nance Jr.
C – Andre Drummond
Injury news: Andre Drummond (Achilles) is probable, Darius Garland (shoulder) and Collin Sexton are out.
Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves (8 p.m. ET)
Grizzlies Projected Lineup
PG – Tyus Jones
SG – Dillon Brooks
SF – Kyle Anderson
PF – Brandon Clarke
C – Jonas Valanciunas
Injury news: Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable
Timberwolves Projected Lineup
PG – D’Angelo Russell
SG – Malik Beasley
SF – Jarrett Culver
PF – Juan Hernangomez
C – Karl-Anthony Towns
Injury news: Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) and Josh Okogie (hamstring) are probable, Ricky Rubio (health protocols), Juancho Hernangomez (health protocols), and Jake Layman (personal) are out.
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET)
Bulls Projected Lineup
PG – Coby White
SG – Zach LaVine
SF – Patrick Williams
PF – Lauri Markkanen
C – Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury news: Garrett Temple (ankle) is questionable, Otto Porter (back) is probable, Lauri Markkanen and Ryan Arcidiacano have cleared health and safety protocols.
Thunder Projected Lineup
PG – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG – George Hill
SF – Lu Dort
PF – Darius Bazley
C – Al Horford
Injury news: Darius Bazley (ankle) is questionable
Atlanta Hawks at Utah Jazz (9 p.m. ET)
Hawks Projected Lineup
PG – Trae Young
SG – Cam Reddish
SF – Deandre Hunter
PF – John Collins
C – Clint Capela
Injury news: Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu (foot) were removed from the injury report, Rajon Rondo (knee) is questionable.
Jazz Projected Lineup
PG – Mike Conley
SG – Donovan Mitchell
SF – Bojan Bogdanovic
PF – Royce O’Neale
C – Rudy Gobert
Injury news: Derrick Favors (knee) is probable, Joe Ingles (Achilles) is out.
New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET)
Pelicans Projected Lineup
PG – Eric Bledsoe
SG – Josh Hart
SF – Brandon Ingram
PF – Zion Williamson
C – Steven Adams
Injury news: Zion Williamson has cleared COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Eric Bledsoe (eye) is questionable, Lonzo Ball (knee) is out.
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – LeBron James
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Marc Gasol
Injury news: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) is probable, LeBron James (ankle) Wesley Matthews (Achilles), Anthony Davis (back/adductor/toe) are questionable and Jared Dudley (calf) is out.
LA Clippers at Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET)
Clippers Projected Lineup
PG – Patrick Beverley
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Nicolas Batum
C – Serge Ibaka
Injury news: Patrick Beverley (personal) and Lou Williams (hip) are questionable.
Kings Projected Lineup
PG – De’Aaron Fox
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Harrison Barnes
PF – Marvin Bagley
C – Richaun Holmes
Injury news: Buddy Hield (ankle) is probable.
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 8:30 a.m. ET, Justin Phan isn’t seeing betting value in any Friday games. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.