NBA Injury News & Starting Lineups (Jan. 13): Nets Short-Handed Following James Harden Trade
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets.
Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Wednesday'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.
Wednesday's NBA Injury News
5:15 p.m. ET Update: The Nets will be short-handed on Wednesday following their trade for James Harden. Brooklyn will only play nine players after trading Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince and Rodions Kurucs in the four-team deal.
3:30 p.m. ET Update: Zion Williamson has been added to the injury report due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols and has been ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
1:30 p.m. ET Update: Al Horford is listed out due to rest in the second leg of a back-to-back with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kevin Durant isn't on the injury report Wednesday and will play agains the New York Knicks in the second leg of a back-to-back, as expected.
11:30 a.m. ET Update: Wednesday's game between the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns has been postponed. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Suns playing the Washington Wizards, who have recently had a positive test, Monday night has forced the Suns to do contact tracing for players on their roster.
The NBA has already postponed two Wednesday games — Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics — because one side of the matchup would be without the required number of active players.
As for the games that are scheduled, a number of big men on headline the injury report for tonight's matchups. The Dallas Mavericks, after having their previous game postponed, are expected to get Kristaps Porzingis back for his season debut. Porzingis was expected to play Monday's matchup before the game was called off due to health and safety protocols.
Anthony Davis is questionable to play on the second night of a back-to-back against the Oklahoma City Thunder after the Lakers' win on the road in Houston. Davis apparently jammed his toe, but x-rays were negative.
Karl-Anthony Towns is also questionable for Wednesday and the Minnesota Timberwolves are monitoring his wrist injury closely.
Per our NBA Insiders tool:
Towns is officially considered questionable in advance of Wednesday's game as he continues to deal with a perilunate subluxation. Coach Saunders said the plan is for him to practice Tuesday and play on Wednesday barring a setback. Towns was held out of the second night of a back-to-back on Sunday after making his return to the lineup on Saturday following a lengthy absence due to a left wrist dislocation. He was reportedly on a minute restriction in his return, but he played 37 minutes in the overtime loss.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real time updates.
Wednesday's Projected Starting Lineups
Utah Jazz at Washington Wizards (PPD)
The Washington Wizards will not have the league-required eight available players.
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (PPD)
The Boston Celtics will not have the league-required eight available players.
Atlanta Hawks at Phoenix Suns (PPD)
This game has been postponed due to COVID-19 contact tracing.
Dallas Mavericks at Charlotte Hornets (6 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 (knee) is probable. Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney Smith, and Jalen Brunson are out due to health and safety protocols.
Hornets Projected Lineup
PG – Devonte' Graham
SG – Terry Rozier
SF – Gordon Hayward
PF – PJ Washington
C – Bismack Biyombo
Injury news: Nothing new
Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET)
Bucks Projected Lineup
PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
C – Brook Lopez
Injury news: Bobby Portis (knee) is probable.
Pistons Projected Lineup
PG – Delon Wright
SG – Josh Jackson
SF – Jerami Grant
PF – Blake Griffin
C – Mason Plumlee
Injury news: Derrick Rose (knee) is probable.
Brooklyn Nets at New York Nets (7:30 p.m. ET)
Nets Projected Lineup
PG – Bruce Brown
SG – Joe Harris
SF – Kevin Durant
PF – Jeff Green
C – Jarrett Allen
Injury news: Kevin Durant is probable on the second night of a back-to-back. Kyrie Irving (personal) is out. Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Tauren Prince and Rodions Kurucs were traded.
Knicks Projected Lineup
PG – Elfrid Payton
SG – Austin Rivers
SF – RJ Barrett
PF – Julius Randle
C – Mitchell Robinson
Injury news: Obi Toppin (calf) is probable, Reggie Bullock (hip) is doubtful, Alec Burks (ankle) and Frank Ntilikina (knee) 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: John Konchar (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 questionable.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET)
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – LeBron James
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Marc Gasol
Injury news: LeBron James (ankle) is probable and Anthony Davis (toe) is questionable and Wesley Matthews (Achilles) is out.
Thunder Projected Lineup
PG – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG – George Hill
SF – Lu Dort
PF – Darius Bazley
C – Al Horford
Injury news: Nothing new
New Orleans Pelicans at LA Clippers (10 p.m. ET)
Pelicans Projected Lineup
PG – Eric Bledsoe
SG – Josh Hart
SF – Brandon Ingram
PF – Zion Williamson
C – Steven Adams
Injury news: Steven Adams is active, JJ Redick (hamstring) is probable, Eric Bledsoe (eye) is questionable, Lonzo Ball (knee) is out.
Clippers Projected Lineup
PG – Patrick Beverley
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Nicolas Batum
C – Serge Ibaka
Injury news: Ivica Zubac (abdominal) is questionable.
Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET)
Trail Blazers Projected Lineup
PG – Damian Lillard
SG – CJ McCollum
SF – Derrick Jones
PF – Robert Covington
C – Jusuf Nurkic
Injury news: Damian Lillard (ankle) is probable, Jusuf Nurkic (quad) is 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) and Richaun Holmes (ankle) are probable.
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 10:30 a.m. ET, Justin Phan isn't seeing betting value in any Wednesday games. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.
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