Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images. Pictured: Kemba Walker of the Boston Celtics.
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
Kemba Walker has been added to the injury report and is questionable for Game 3 on Friday with a knee medial bone bruise. It’s unclear when he suffered the injury, but this is obviously a big concern with the Celtics already down Jaylen Brown. There’s a good chance Walker won’t be 100% even if he’s cleared to play, and it’s possible he’ll be under some sort of minutes limit.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said Tatum went through a full practice Thursday and will play Friday. Tatum didn’t return to Tuesday’s blowout loss after getting accidentally poked in the eye by Kevin Durant in the second half.
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash said Jeff Green has been diagnosed with a strained plantar fascia and will be re-evaluated in 10 days. Nash added that Nicolas Claxton “will probably play more” in Green’s absence.
Serge Ibaka has been downgraded to questionable heading into Game 3 due to back spasms. Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said Ibaka didn’t play in the second half of Game 2 because he decided to downsize, but Ibaka was limited to six minutes and may have been hindered by back issues. Ibaka was sidelined for two months due to a tight lower back, and it appears that malady has lingered.
The Dallas Mavericks continue to list Maxi Kleber as questionable as he deals with a sore Achilles. He was listed questionable heading into Games 1 and 2 and played 36 and 34 minutes, respectively, without issue.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real-time updates.
Projected Starting Lineups
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks (7 p.m. ET)
Knicks Projected Lineup
PG – Elfrid Payton
SG – RJ Barrett
SF – Reggie Bullock
PF – Julius Randle
C – Nerlens Noel
Injury news: Nothing new
Hawks Projected Lineup
PG – Trae Young
SG – Bogdan Bogdanovic
SF – De’Andre Hunter
PF – John Collins
C – Clint Capela
Injury news: Nothing new
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics (8:30 p.m. ET)
Nets Projected Lineup
PG – James Harden
SG – Kyrie Irving
SF – Joe Harris
PF – Kevin Durant
C – Blake Griffin
Injury news: Jeff Green (Foot) is injured
Celtics Projected Lineup
PG – Kemba Walker
SG – Marcus Smart
SF – Evan Fournier
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Tristan Thompson
Injury news: Kemba Walker (Knee) is questionable
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks (9:30 p.m. ET)
Clippers Projected Lineup
PG – Patrick Beverley
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Marcus Morris
C – Ivica Zubac
Injury news: Serge Ibaka (Back) is questionable
Mavericks Projected Lineup
PG – Luka Doncic
SG – Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF – Dorian Finney-Smith
PF – Maxi Kleber
C – Kristaps Porzingis
Injury news: Maxi Kleber (Achilles) is questionable
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 11 a.m. ET, Justin Phan sees betting value in one Friday playoff game: Nets vs. Celtics. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.