Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Thursday’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 Los Angeles Lakers are trying to wade through a sea of injuries, including their only available star, Anthony Davis. Per our NBA Insiders tool:
Davis said he plans to play Friday despite suffering back spasms and not returning in Thursday’s loss. He added that the stakes of Friday’s game vs. the Blazers “adds a little juice” for him to play even if his back doesn’t feel 100 percent. Davis tweaked his ankle as well on Thursday but said it is “fine” and “wasn’t bothering me.”
Of course the Lakers won’t have LeBron James, who is expected sit until the middle of next, nor will they have Dennis Schroder, who is in COVID protocols. Talen Horton-Tucker will also miss Friday’s game with a calf injury.
Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are considered questionable in advance of Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Andre Iguodala got the start in place of Butler in Tuesday’s loss and would remain in the starting lineup tonight if Butler has to miss more time. Herro has missed the past six games with a sore foot and will likely be eased back in terms of minutes if he’s cleared to play.
The Boston Celtics have ruled out Jaylen Brown for the second straight game on Friday as he continues to deal with a sprained ankle. Tristan Thompson is probable in advance of Friday’s game after missing the previous game due to a strained left pectoral. Robert Williams has been downgraded to questionable due to turf toe in his left foot.
The New York Knicks announced that Immanuel Quickley and Burks are both doubtful for Friday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. Burks was available Wednesday with the same knee injury, but has been downgraded since and Quickley is dealing with an ankle injury.
With Quickley and Burks likely out, expect more minutes for Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose, Reggie Bullock, and RJ Barrett, with Frank Ntilikina likely getting back into the rotation after only seeing garbage time minutes as of late.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real-time updates.
Projected Starting Lineups
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET)
Pelicans Projected Lineup
PG – Lonzo Ball
SG – Eric Bledsoe
SF – Brandon Ingram
PF – Zion Williamson
C – Willy Hernangomez
Injury news: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Ankle) is questionable; Steven Adams (Toe) is doubtful; Brandon Ingram (Ankle) is out
76ers Projected Lineup
PG – Ben Simmons
SG – Seth Curry
SF – Danny Green
PF – Tobias Harris
C – Joel Embiid
Injury news: Furkan Korkmaz (Ankle) is out
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls (7:30 p.m. ET)
Celtics Projected Lineup
PG – Kemba Walker
SG – Marcus Smart
SF – Evan Fournier
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Robert Williams
Injury news: Tristan Thompson (Pectoral) and Romeo Langford (Concussion) are probable; Robert Williams (Toe) is questionable; Jaylen Brown (Ankle) is out
Bulls Projected Lineup
PG – Coby White
SG – Zach LaVine
SF – Patrick Williams
PF – Daniel Theis
C – Nikola Vucevic
Injury news: Troy Brown Jr. (Ankle) is out
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat (8 p.m. ET)
Timberwolves Projected Lineup
PG – D’Angelo Russell
SG – Anthony Edwards
SF – Josh Okogie
PF – Juancho Hernangomez
C – Karl-Anthony Towns
Injury news: Jaden McDaniels (Personal) is out
Heat Projected Lineup
PG – Kendrick Nunn
SG – Jimmy Butler
SF – Duncan Robinson
PF – Trevor Ariza
C – Bam Adebayo
Injury news: Jimmy Butler (Illness) and Tyler Herro (Foot) are questionable
Houston Rockets vs. Milwaukee Bucks (8 p.m. ET)
Rockets Projected Lineup
PG – Jae’Sean Tate
SG – Armoni Brooks
SF – DaQuan Jeffries
PF – Kelly Olynyk
C – Christian Wood
Injury news: Jae’Sean Tate (Knee), DJ Augustin (Ankle), Kelly Olynyk (Ankle) and Christian Wood (Ankle) are questionable; Danuel House (Ankle) is doubtful; Kevin Porter Jr. (Ankle) and Avery Bradley (Personal) are out
Bucks Projected Lineup
PPG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
C – Brook Lopez
Injury news: PJ Tucker (Neck) is probable
Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets (8 p.m. ET)
Magic Projected Lineup
PG – Cole Anthony
SG – Gary Harris
SF – Dwayne Bacon
PF – Moe Wagner
C – Mo Bamba
Injury news: Wendell Carter Jr. (Eye) is out
Hornets Projected Lineup
PG – LaMelo Ball
SG – Terry Rozier
SF – Caleb Martin
PF – Jalen McDaniels
C – PJ Washington
Injury news: Devonte’ Graham (Knee) and Cody Martin (Ankle) are doubtful
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks (8:30 p.m. ET)
Cavaliers Projected Lineup
PG – Collin Sexton
SG – Isaac Okoro
SF – Cedi Osman
PF – Kevin Love
C – Jarrett Allen
Injury news: Darius Garland (Ankle) is out
Mavericks Projected Lineup
PG – Luka Doncic
SG – Josh Richardson
SF – Tim Hardaway Jr.
PF – Dorian Finney-Smith
C – Willie Cauley-Stein
Injury news: Kristaps Porzingis (Knee) and Maxi Kleber (Achilles) are doubtful
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz (9 p.m. ET)
Nuggets Projected Lineup
PG – Facundo Campazzo
SG – Aaron Gordon
SF – Michael Porter Jr.
PF – Paul Millsap
C – Nikola Jokic
Injury news: Zeke Nnaji (Ankle) is questionable
Jazz Projected Lineup
PG – Joe Ingles
SG – Royce O’Neale
SF – Bojan Bogdanovic
PF – Georges Niang
C – Rudy Gobert
Injury news: Udoka Azubuike (Ankle) is probable; Mike Conley (Hamstring) and Juwan Morgan (Heel) are out
New York Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns (10 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 (Knee) and Immanuel Quickley (Ankle) are doubtful
Suns Projected Lineup
PG – Chris Paul
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Mikal Bridges
PF – Torrey Craig
C – Deandre Ayton
Injury news: Cam Johnson (Wrist) is questionable; Jae Crowder (Ankle) is out
San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET)
Spurs Projected Lineup
PG – Dejounte Murray
SG – Devin Vassell
SF – DeMar DeRozan
PF – Keldon Johnson
C – Jakob Poeltl
Injury news: Nothing new
Kings Projected Lineup
PG – Delon Wright
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Harrison Barnes
PF – Marvin Bagley
C – Richaun Holmes
Injury news: Harrison Barnes (Adductor) and Chimezie Metu (Back) are questionable
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET)
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Alex Caruso
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – Kyle Kuzma
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Andre Drummond
Injury news: Anthony Davis (Back) is questionable; Dennis Schroder (COVID Protocols), LeBron James (Ankle) and Talen Horton-Tucker (Calf) are out
Trail Blazers Projected Lineup
PG – Damian Lillard
SG – CJ McCollum
SF – Norman Powell
PF – Robert Covington
C – Jusuf Nurkic
Injury news: Norman Powell (Knee) is probable
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 10 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.