David Liam Kyle/NBAE via 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.
Friday’s NBA Injury News
The Brooklyn Nets have the league’s spotlight on them for a number of reasons this season — James Harden’s trade and Kyrie Irving’s absences to name a few — and now Kevin Durant will be the player to watch on Friday.
Per our NBA Insiders tool:
Durant was added to the Nets’ injury report as questionable Friday for the purposes of Achilles injury recovery. He played 50 minutes in Wednesday’s loss, and the Nets are likely being precautious with Durant’s health on the front end of a back-to-back. If Durant can’t play, James Harden and Kyrie Irving will see a bump in usage while Joe Harris could return to the starting lineup.
There still has been no word on whether Jayson Tatum will play agains the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, but it seems unlikely as he continues to get his wind back after contracting COVID-19.
Pascal Siakam also finds himself on the injury report ahead of the Toronto Raptors’ matchup with the Miami Heat. Siakam hurt himself during a fall in the Raptors’ game on Wednesday and is questionable with a sore groin.
Speaking of the Heat, they have a lengthy injury report entering Friday’s action. Tyler Herro is questionable after missing three games with neck spasms and the Heat are still without Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley due to health and safety protocols.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real time updates.
Friday’s Projected Starting Lineups
Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks (PPD)
This game was postponed due to ongoing COVID-19 contact tracing.
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers (PPD)
This game was postponed due to ongoing COVID-19 contact tracing.
Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m. ET)
Bulls Projected Lineup
PG – Coby White
SG – Zach LaVine
SF – Patrick Williams
PF – Lauri Markkanen
C – Daniel Gafford
Injury news: Patrick Williams (Hip) is probable, Wendell Carter Jr. (quad) is doubtful.
Hornets Projected Lineup
PG – Devonte’ Graham
SG – Terry Rozier
SF – Gordon Hayward
PF – PJ Washington
C – Cody Zeller
Injury news: Cody Zeller (Hamstring) is probable.
Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET)
Rockets Projected Lineup
PG – Victor Oladipo
SG – Eric Gordon
SF – Jae’Sean Tate
PF – PJ Tucker
C – DeMarcus Cousins
Injury news: Christian Wood (ankle) is out.
Detroit Projected Lineup
PG – Delon Wright
SG – Wayne Ellington
SF – Jerami Grant
PF – Blake Griffin
C – Mason Plumlee
Injury news: Josh Jackson (quad) is probable.
Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers (7 p.m. ET)
Magic Projected Lineup
PG – Cole Anthony
SG – Evan Fournier
SF – James Ennis
PF – Aaron Gordon
C – Nikola Vucevic
Injury news: Michael Carter-Williams (foot) is questionable
Pacers Projected Lineup
PG – Malcolm Brogdon
SG – Edmond Sumner
SF – Justin Holiday
PF – Domantas Sabonis
C – Myles Turner
Injury news: Myles Turner (Hand) is questionable.
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET)
Celtics Projected Lineup
PG – Kemba Walker
SG – Marcus Smart
SF – Jaylen Brown
PF – Grant Williams
C – Tristan Thompson
Injury news: Aaron Nesmith is questionable, Jayson Tatum (health protocols) is doubtful.
76ers Projected Lineup
PG – Ben Simmons
SG – Seth Curry
SF – Danny Green
PF – Tobias Harris
C – Joel Embiid
Injury news: Seth Curry (Rest) is probable.
Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET)
Heat Projected Lineup
PG – Tyler Herro
SG – Gabe Vincent
SF – Duncan Robinson
PF – Kelly Olynyk
C – Bam Adebayo
Injury news: Jimmy Butler, Avery Bradley, and Meyers Leonard (shoulder) remain out, Tyler Herro (neck) and Chris Silva (hip) are questionable, and Goran Dragic (foot) and Gabe Vincent (knee) are probable.
Raptors Projected Lineup
PG – Kyle Lowry
SG – Fred VanVleet
SF – OG Anunoby
C – Aron Baynes
PF – Pascal Siakam
Injury news: Pascal Siakam (Groin) is questionable.
Brooklyn Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET)
Nets Projected Lineup
PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – James Harden
SF – Kevin Durant
PF – Jeff Green
C – DeAndre Jordan
Injury news: Kevin Durant (rest) is questionable.
Cavaliers Projected Lineup
PG – Darius Garland
SG – Collin Sexton
SF – Cedi Osman
PF – Larry Nance Jr.
C – Andre Drummond
Injury news: Darius Garland (Shoulder) and Dylan Windler (hand) are questionable,
Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves (8 p.m. ET)
Hawks Projected Lineup
PG – Trae Young
SG – Cam Reddish
SF – De’Andre Hunter
PF – John Collins
C – Clint Capela
Injury news: De’Andre Hunter (Knee) and Cam Reddish (Knee) are questionable, Danilo Gallinari (ankle) is doubtful.
Timberwolves Projected Lineup
PG – D’Angelo Russell
SG – Malik Beasley
SF – Josh Okogie
PF – Jarred Vanderbilt
C – Naz Reid
Injury news: Josh Okogie (Hamstring) is probable, Ricky Rubio, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Juancho Hernangomez are out due to health and safety protocols.
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs (8:30 p.m. ET)
Mavericks Projected Lineup
PG – Luka Doncic
SG – Jalen Brunson
SF – Tim Hardaway Jr.
PF – Josh Green
C – Kristaps Porzingis
Injury news: Dwight Powell, Josh Richardson, Maxi Kleber, and Dorian Finney-Smith are out due to health and safety protocols.
Spurs Projected Lineup
PG – Dejounte Murray
SG – Lonnie Walker
SF – DeMar DeRozan
PF – Keldon Johnson
C – LaMarcus Aldridge
Injury news: Nothing new
New York Knicks at Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET)
Knicks Projected Lineup
PG – Elfrid Payton
SG – RJ Barrett
SF – Reggie Bullock
PF – Julius Randle
C – Mitchell Robinson
Injury news: Nothing new.
Kings Projected Lineup
PG – De’Aaron Fox
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Harrison Barnes
PF – Marvin Bagley
C – Richaun Holmes
Injury news: Marvin Bagley (Wrist) is probable, Hassan Whiteside is questionable.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers (10 p.m. ET)
Thunder Projected Lineup
PG – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG – George Hill
SF – Lu Dort
PF – Darius Bazley
C – Isaiah Roby
Injury news: Nothing new.
Clippers Projected Lineup
PG – Patrick Beverley
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Nicolas Batum
C – Serge Ibaka
Injury news: Nothing new.
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns (10 p.m. ET)
Nuggets Projected Lineup
PG – Jamal Murray
SG – Gary Harris
SF – Will Barton
PF – Paul Millsap
C – Nikola Jokic
Injury news: Michael Porter Jr. is questionable due to conditioning concerns.
Suns Projected Lineup
PG – Chris Paul
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Mikal Bridges
PF – Cam Johnson
C – Deandre Ayton
Injury news: Dario Saric and Damian Jones are out due to health and safety protocols.
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 10:30 a.m. ET, Justin Phan sees betting value in one Friday game: Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.