Each day, this column will provide live updates for all NBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current NBA slate.
Key NBA News to Watch
-
LeBron James (foot) — Probable
-
Anthony Davis (back) — Questionable
-
Zion Williamson (hip, back) — In
-
Stephen Curry (rest) — In
-
Draymond Green (rest) — In
-
Klay Thompson (rest) — Out
-
Jordan Poole (ankle) — Questionable
-
Jabari Smith (ankle) — Questionable
-
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) — Questionable
-
Herb Jones (knee) — Out
-
Malcolm Brogdon (back) — Probable
-
Josh Richardson (back) — Out
-
Jeremy Sochan (illness) — Out
Recent NBA News
Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.
New Orleans Pelicans News
Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Naji Marshall, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
-
Zion Williamson (hip, back) — In
-
Brandon Ingram (concussion) — Out
-
Herb Jones (knee) — Out
-
Dyson Daniels (ankle) — Out
-
Kira Lewis (ACL) — Injured
Trey Murphy started the second half for Brandon Ingram when he got hurt and should be considered a likely starter if Williamson and Jones are able to return. McCollum’s 35.7% assist rate can remain stable if he is the lone guard in the starting lineup, but his 28.6% usage and Jonas Valanciunas’ 23.8% usage with Williamson out figure to decline if he returns.
Los Angeles Clippers News
Confirmed Lineup: Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Paul George, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac
-
Kawhi Leonard (injury management) — Out
-
Marcus Morris (personal) — In
-
Robert Covington (health protocols) — Out
-
Brandon Boston Jr. (G-League assignment) — Out
-
Jason Preston (G-League assignment) — Out
Terance Mann and Amir Coffey should stick in the rotation with Norman Powell and Luke Kennard likely to continue receiving more minutes with Leonard remaining out. Morris’ return is offset somewhat by Covington likely to be out, and Ivica Zubac can continue receiving some extra minutes as a result.
Washington Wizards News
Projected Lineup: Monte Morris, Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis
The Wizards’ 113.6 defensive rating ranked 25th in the league last season. Their improved 109.1 points allowed per 100 possessions ranks eighth league-wide so far this season.
Boston Celtics News
Projected Lineup: Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford
-
Malcolm Brogdon (back) — Probable
-
Danilo Gallinari (ACL) — Injured
-
Robert Williams (knee) — Injured
New York Knicks News
Projected Lineup: Jalen Brunson, Evan Fournier, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks are allowing opponents to shoot just 42.3% from the floor, second-best in the league. The Cavs shot 48.1% from the floor, good for the eighth-best mark in the league.
Cleveland Cavaliers News
Projected Lineup: Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
-
Darius Garland (eye) — Out
-
Dylan Windler (ankle) — Out
-
Ricky Rubio (ACL) — Injured
Golden State Warriors News
Projected Lineup: Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
-
Stephen Curry (rest) — In
-
Draymond Green (rest) — In
-
Klay Thompson (rest) — Out
-
Jordan Poole (ankle) — Questionable
-
Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring) — Injured
-
Andre Iguodala (injury management) — Out
The Warriors haven’t yet submitted an injury report for the back end of their back-to-back, and Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green could be rest candidates against the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons News
Projected Lineup: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart
Minnesota Timberwolves News
Projected Lineup: D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
-
Kyle Anderson (back) — Questionable
-
Jordan McLaughlin (heel) — Questionable
-
Wendell Moore Jr. (G-League assignment) — Out
-
Josh Minott (G-League assignment) — Out
Austin Rivers would likely be removed from the rotation with Jaylen Nowell receiving fewer facilitating opportunities if McLaughlin is able to return. Nowell also stands to lose time on the wing along with Jaden McDaniels, Taurean Prince, and Bryn Forbes if Anderson returns.
San Antonio Spurs News
Projected Lineup: Tre Jones, Romeo Langford, Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott, Jakob Poeltl
-
Devin Vassell (knee) — Out
-
Josh Richardson (back) — Out
-
Jeremy Sochan (illness) — Out
With Blake Wesley considered a backup point guard option, the Spurs are limited on the wing if Richardson is ruled out. Look for Keita Bates-Diop, Doug McDermott, Romeo Langford, and Malaki Branham to be in line for minutes in that event.
Orlando Magic News
Projected Lineup: Franz Wagner, Terrence Ross, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., Bol Bol
-
Cole Anthony (oblique) — Injured
-
Jalen Suggs (ankle) — Injured
-
Moe Wagner (ankle) — Injured
-
Markelle Fultz (toe) — Injured
-
Gary Harris (knee) — Injured
-
Jonathan Isaac (ACL) — Injured
Paolo Banchero recorded a 43.8% assist rate with Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. both recording 23.5% distributing rates in the first game Orlando opted for a zero traditional point guard lineup.
Dallas Mavericks News
Projected Lineup: Luka Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie, Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith, JaVale McGee
-
Frank Ntilikina (ankle) — Out
-
JaVale McGee (rest) — Available
-
Davis Bertans (knee) — Injured
Houston Rockets News
Projected Lineup: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Jae’Sean Tate, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
-
Jabari Smith (ankle) — Questionable
-
Eric Gordon (injury maintenance) — Out
-
Bruno Fernando (knee) — Injured
-
TyTy Washington (knee) — Injured
Jae’Sean Tate, KJ Martin, Tari Eason, and Garrison Mathews can see more minutes on the wing with Gordon resting. If Smith is out, then Tate, Martin, and Eason stand to benefit further, with Alperen Sengun and Usman Garuba also likely for more minutes.
Phoenix Suns News
Projected Lineup: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Bismack Biyombo
Jock Landale had been averaging 16.0 minutes per game in his backup center role and recorded just 17 minutes on Friday despite Ayton getting hurt in the first quarter. Bismack Biyombo re-entered the rotation upon Ayton’s injury and recorded 23 minutes, including a second-half start.
Denver Nuggets News
Projected Lineup: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
The Nuggets won with ease sans Caldwell-Pope on Friday, with Bruce Brown recording 30 minutes in a start. Christian Braun played 32 minutes and Jeff Green 25, and the highest usage of any of the three players posted was Brown’s 11.8%.
Los Angeles Lakers News
Projected Lineup: LeBron James, Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Walker, Anthony Davis, Damian Jones
-
LeBron James (foot) — Probable
-
Anthony Davis (back) — Questionable
-
Juan Toscano-Anderson (ankle) — Out
-
Dennis Schroder (thumb) — Injured
-
Thomas Bryant (thumb) — Injured
On injury report before playing:
LeBron: 5-for-5 AD: 4-for-5
Davis and Toscano-Anderson sitting out on Friday caused Damian Jones to play 24 minutes and Wenyen Gabriel 21 to man the center position. It also helped Russell Westbrook record 30.7% usage in 33 minutes while Troy Brown reached 27 minutes and Austin Reaves 27 in lower-usage roles.
.