NBA Injury News & Starting Lineups (May 11): LeBron James Ruled Out Tuesday, Could Play Wednesday
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Tuesday’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
LeBron James is likely to return on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel confirmed that James participated in a full practice on Monday, but declined to give him an official status. James has been sidelined the past four games after returning early from a high ankle sprain.
Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Marc Gasol are all listed as probable. Davis remains bothered by a strained calf he has repeatedly told reporters is no longer an issue.
The Boston Celtics announced that Jaylen Brown will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. Evan Fournier will remain in the starting lineup moving forward in Brown’s absence, and the team will have to continue to lean on Aaron Nesmith off the bench.
Robert Williams is considered doubtful Tuesday’s game as he continues to deal with turf toe. He aggravated the injury during Sunday’s loss and wasn’t able to return. Tristan Thompson, who started in his place at center in the second half, will start for however long Robert Williams is sidelined.
Joel Embiid is listed questionable in advance of Tuesday’s game with an illness. Ben Simmons and Seth Curry are no longer listed on the injury report. Mike Scott started the past two games that Embiid has missed and would likely draw another start if Embiid has to miss time with Dwight Howard playing significant minutes off the bench. The Sixers bench will be a bit shorthanded as Furkan Korkmaz and Matisse Thybulle have been ruled out.
Alec Burks is considered questionable ahead of Tuesday’s game as he continues to deal with a knee contusion. Immanuel Quickley is considered doubtful with an ankle injury. The pair has missed the past two contests and it’s cleared the way for RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock, and Derrick Rose to play heavy minutes.
Aaron Gordon is considered probable for Tuesday’s contest after a one-game absence due to a tight calf. Monte Morris has been upgraded to questionable as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Morris’ return would be a major boost for a depleted Nuggets backcourt that remains without PJ Dozier. He could come off the bench initially as he works his way back to 100 percent ahead of the playoffs, with Austin Rivers remaining in the rotation and Shaq Harrison back out of it.
Kristaps Porzingis remains out Tuesday and will miss his seventh straight game due to a sore right knee. Maxi Kleber practiced on Monday, but is without an official status for Tuesday as he deals with a sore Achilles.
With both players absent lately, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Willie Cauley-Stein have entered the starting lineup. Coach Carlisle is optimistic that Porzingis could return on Wednesday in the second leg of the back-to-back.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real-time updates.
Projected Starting Lineups
Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m. ET)
Nuggets Projected Lineup
PG – Facundo Campazzo
SG – Aaron Gordon
SF – Michael Porter Jr.
PF – Paul Millsap
C – Nikola Jokic
Injury news: Aaron Gordon (Calf) is probable; Monte Morris (Hamstring) is questionable
Hornets Projected Lineup
PG – LaMelo Ball
SG – Terry Rozier
SF – Jalen McDaniels
PF – PJ Washington
C – Bismack Biyombo
Injury news: Devonte’ Graham (Knee) is questionable
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET)
Timberwolves Projected Lineup
PG – D’Angelo Russell
SG – Anthony Edwards
SF – Josh Okogie
PF – Jaden McDaniels
C – Karl-Anthony Towns
Injury news: Juancho Hernangomez (Quad) is questionable
Pistons Projected Lineup
PG – Killian Hayes
SG – Josh Jackson
SF – Saddiq Bey
PF – Sekou Doumbouya
C – Isaiah Stewart
Injury news: Josh Jackson (Mouth) and Frank Jackson (Ankle) are questionable; Wayne Ellington (Calf), Cory Joseph (Ankle), Mason Plumlee (Rest), Jerami Grant (Knee), Rodney McGruder (Elbow) and Hamidou Diallo (COVID Protocols) are out
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET)
Heat Projected Lineup
PG – Kendrick Nunn
SG – Jimmy Butler
SF – Duncan Robinson
PF – Trevor Ariza
C – Bam Adebayo
Injury news: Nothing new
Celtics Projected Lineup
PPG – Kemba Walker
SG – Marcus Smart
SF – Evan Fournier
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Tristan Thompson
Injury news: Robert Williams (Toe) is doubtful; Jaylen Brown (Wrist) is out for season
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET)
Clippers Projected Lineup
PG – Reggie Jackson
SG – Paul George
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Marcus Morris
C – Ivica Zubac
Injury news: Nothing new
Raptors Projected Lineup
PG – Malachi Flynn
SG – Gary Trent Jr.
SF – Stanley Johnson
PF – Chris Boucher
C – Khem Birch
Injury news: Chris Boucher (Knee) is questionable; Kyle Lowry (Rest), Pascal Siakam (Shoulder), Fred VanVleet (Rest), and OG Anunoby (Rest) are out
Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET)
Mavericks Projected Lineup
PG – Luka Doncic
SG – Josh Richardson
SF – Tim Hardaway Jr.
PF – Dorian Finney-Smith
C – Willie Cauley-Stein
Injury news: Maxi Kleber (Achilles) is questionable; Kristaps Porzingis (Knee) is out
Grizzlies Projected Lineup
PG – Ja Morant
SG – Desmond Bane
SF – Dillon Brooks
PF – Kyle Anderson
C – Jonas Valanciunas
Injury news: Sean McDermott (Foot) is doubtful; Grayson Allen (Abdominal) is injured
Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls (8 p.m. ET)
Nets Projected Lineup
PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – Bruce Brown
SF – Joe Harris
PF – Kevin Durant
C – Blake Griffin
Injury news: Bruce Brown (Face) is questionable
Bulls Projected Lineup
PG – Coby White
SG – Zach LaVine
SF – Patrick Williams
PF – Daniel Theis
C – Nikola Vucevic
Injury news: Daniel Theis (Hip) and Troy Brown Jr. (Ankle) are questionable
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers (8 p.m. ET)
76ers Projected Lineup
PG – Ben Simmons
SG – Seth Curry
SF – Danny Green
PF – Tobias Harris
C – Joel Embiid
Injury news: Joel Embiid (Illness) is questionable; Furkan Korkmaz (Ankle) and Matisse Thybulle (Hand) are out
Pacers Projected Lineup
PG – Caris LeVert
SG – Edmond Sumner
SF – Doug McDermott
PF – Oshae Brissett
C – Domantas Sabonis
Injury news: Jeremy Lamb (Knee) and Malcolm Brogdon (Hamstring) are questionable
Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks (9 p.m. ET)
Magic Projected Lineup
PG – Cole Anthony
SG – Gary Harris
SF – Dwayne Bacon
PF – Moe Wagner
C – Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury news: Wendell Carter Jr. (Eye) is questionable
Bucks Projected Lineup
PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo
C – Brook Lopez
Injury news: Nothing new
Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET)
Suns Projected Lineup
PG – Chris Paul
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Mikal Bridges
PF – Torrey Craig
C – Deandre Ayton
Injury news: Cam Johnson (Wrist) is out
Warriors Projected Lineup
PG – Stephen Curry
SG – Kent Bazemore
SF – Andrew Wiggins
PF – Draymond Green
C – Kevon Looney
Injury news: Damion Lee (Conditioning) is out
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET)
Thunder Projected Lineup
PG – Ty Jerome
SG – Lu Dort
SF – Aleksej Pokusevski
PF – Darius Bazley
C – Moses Brown
Injury news: Ty Jerome (Calf) and Lu Dort (Knee) are questionable; Theo Maledon (Foot) is out
Kings Projected Lineup
PG – Delon Wright
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Maurice Harkless
PF – Marvin Bagley
C – Richaun Holmes
Injury news: Harrison Barnes (Adductor) is doubtful; Buddy Hield (Ankle) is probable
New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers (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) is questionable; Immanuel Quickley (Ankle) is doubtful
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Alex Caruso
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – LeBron James
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Andre Drummond
Injury news: Marc Gasol (Finger), Anthony Davis (Calf), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Ankle), LeBron James (Ankle), Kyle Kuzma (Back), and Talen Horton-Tucker (Calf) are probable
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 6 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.
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