NBA Injury News & Starting Lineups (April 30): LeBron James Cleared to Return vs. Kings Friday

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

8:45 p.m. ET: LeBron James has officially been cleared to play Friday against the Sacramento Kings. He’ll make his return after missing the previous five weeks with a sprained right ankle.

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6:00 pm ET Update: As expected, Allen has been downgraded to out on Friday due to a left-hand injury. He briefly left the game on Wednesday due to the ailment before returning and finishing out the game. Expect Desmond Bane and De’Anthony Melton to receive a boost in playing time.

2:45 PM ET Update: LeBron James will test his ankle out before Friday’s contest and will be a game-time decision, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. He’s been sidelined since March 20 with a high ankle sprain. James has previously been listed out but is expected to be upgraded to questionable. If he isn’t able to play Friday then he’s likely to return as soon as Sunday. It’s unclear if James will be on a minutes limit when he’s cleared though that seems likely given how the team handled Anthony Davis’ return.

1:30 pm ET Update: Kevin Durant has been ruled out Friday, as expected, in the second leg of a back-to-back due to hamstring injury management. Kyrie Irving (groin) isn’t on the injury report while Bruce Brown (knee) remains out.

12:45 pm ET Update: The Celtics will be without Kemba Walker for the third straight game on Friday due to a strained left oblique. Evan Fournier or Semi Ojeleye will likely start with Walker unavailable, and when Walker has been sidelined, the Celtics have gone 12-12. Payton Pritchard may get extended run off the bench.

11:00 am ET Update: Anthony Davis, Dennis Schroder (calf), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle), and Marc Gasol (finger) are all probable prior to the match on Friday. The Lakers continue to list players on the injury report who have returned from injury and played consecutive games without any minute limitations.

Kemba Walker is doubtful for Friday’s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs due to a strained oblique that has held him out of the previous two games. Marcus Smart served a one-game suspension on Wednesday but will return on Friday, while Evan Fournier could remain in the starting lineup.

Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real time updates.

Projected Starting Lineups

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET)

Hawks Projected Lineup

PG – Trae Young
SG – Tony Snell
SF – Solomon Hill
PF – John Collins
C – Clint Capela

Injury news: Trae Young (ankle), Clint Capela (heel), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) are questionable, Tony Snell (ankle) is probable, while Kevin Huerter (shoulder) remains out.

76ers Projected Lineup

PG – Ben Simmons
SG – Seth Curry
SF – Danny Green
PF – Tobias Harris
C – Joel Embiid

Injury news: Nothing new

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San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics (7:30 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

Celtics Projected Lineup

PG – Marcus Smart
SG –  Evan Fournier
SF – Jaylen Brown
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Robert Williams

Injury news: Kemba Walker is out (oblique)

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Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET)

Wizards Projected Lineup

PG – Russell Westbrook
SG – Raul Neto
SF – Bradley Beal
PF – Rui Hachimura
C – Alex Len

Injury news: Nothing new

Cavaliers Projected Lineup

PG – Darius Garland
SG – Collin Sexton
SF – Isaac Okoro
PF – Kevin Love
C – Jarrett Allen

Injury news:  Collin Sexton (concussion) is questionable, Matthew Dellavedova (neck), Larry Nance Jr. (thumb), Taurean Prince (ankle), and Lamar Stevens (concussion)

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Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET)

Magic Projected Lineup

PG – Cole Anthony
SG – Gary Harris
SF – James Ennis
PF – Moe Wagner
C – Wendell Carter Jr.

Injury news: Nothing new

Grizzlies Projected Lineup

PG – Ja Morant
SG – Desmond Bane
SF – Dillon Brooks
PF – Kyle Anderson
C – Jonas Valanciunas

Injury news: Grayson Allen (hand) is out

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Portland Trailblazers vs. Brooklyn Nets (8 p.m. ET)

Trailblazers Projected Lineup

PG -Damian Lillard
SG – CJ McCollum
SF – Norman Powell
PF –  Robert Covington
C –     Jusuf Nurkic

Injury news: Nothing new

Nets Projected Lineup

PG –  Kyrie Irving
SG – Landry Shamet
SF – Joe Harris
PF – Jeff Green
C – DeAndre Jordan

Injury news: Kevin Durant is out (hamstring injury management)

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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls (9 pm ET)

Bucks Projected Lineup

PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Donte DiVincenzo
SF – Khris Middleton
PF – Bobby Portis
C – Brook Lopez

Injury news: Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) is out

Bulls Projected Lineup

PG – Coby White
SG – Garrett Temple
SF – Patrick Williams
PF – Daniel Theis
C – Nikola Vucevic

Injury news: Nikola Vucevic (tight adductor) is active

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Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns (10 pm. ET)

Jazz Projected Lineup

PG – Joe Ingles
SG -Royce O’Neale
SF – Bojan Bogdanovic
PF – Georges Niang
C – Rudy Gobert

Injury news: Royce O’Neale (wrist) is questionable

Suns Projected Lineup

PG – Chris Paul
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Mikal Bridges
PF – Torrey Craig
C – DeAndre Ayton

Injury news: Jae Crowder (sprained ankle) is out

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Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 pm. ET)

Kings Projected Lineup

PG – Tyrese Haliburton
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Moe Harkless
PF – Chimezie Metu
C – Richaun Holmes

Injury news: Nothing new

Lakers Projected Lineup

PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – LeBron James
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Andre Drummond

Injury news: LeBron James (ankle) is questionable, Anthony Davis, Dennis Schroder (calf), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle), and Marc Gasol (finger) are all probable

Phan’s Bet to Watch

As of 11:30 a.m. ET, Justin Phan isn’t seeing betting value in any game. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.