Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Friday's NBA slate, along with notable injury news for each squad.
NBA Injury News
Philadelphia 76ers start Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for tonight's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Embiid is dealing with a sore knee and will likely be a game-time decision.
The Sixers are already without Ben Simmons who was suspended for the season opener and is not mentally ready to play, according to multiple reports.
Simmons reported to shootaround today ahead of Nets game and was seen engaged around the team, sources said. The three-time All-Star has expressed he wants to play but isn't prepared mentally. https://t.co/DUuPfGch2s
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2021
Shake Milton is also out for the Sixers leaving them thin at the guard spot.
Bradley Beal is questionable to play Friday for the Washington Wizards in their matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Beal is dealing with soreness in his hip and has had discomfort walking this week.
Terry Rozier is questionable to play on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the Charlotte Hornets' season opening with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to try and play.
Projected Starting Lineups
Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards (7 p.m. ET)
Pacers Projected Lineup
PG – Malcolm Brogdon
SG – Justin Holiday
SF – Jeremy Lamb
PF – Domantas Sabonis
C – Myles Turner
Injury news: Jeremy Lamb (Wrist), Justin Holiday (Ankle), and Torrey Craig (Shoulder) are questionable; Kelan Martin (Hamstring) and Caris LeVert (Back) are out
Wizards Projected Lineup
PG – Spencer Dinwiddie
SG – Bradley Beal
SF – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
PF – Kyle Kuzma
C – Daniel Gafford
Injury news: Bradley Beal (Hip) and Devontae Shuler (Personal) are questionable; Cassius Winston (Hamstring) and Rui Hachimura (COVID Protocols) are out
New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET)
Knicks Projected Lineup
PG – Kemba Walker
SG – RJ Barrett
SF – Evan Fournier
PF – Julius Randle
C – Mitchell Robinson
Injury news: Taj Gibson (Personal) is questionable; Nerlens Noel (Knee) is out
Magic Projected Lineup
PG – Cole Anthony
SG – Terrence Ross
SF – Jalen Suggs
PF – Franz Wagner
C – Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury news: E'Twaun Moore (Knee), Gary Harris (Hamstring) and Chuma Okeke (Hip) are out
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET)
Hornets Projected Lineup
PG – Terry Rozier
SG – LaMelo Ball
SF – Gordon Hayward
PF – Miles Bridges
C – Mason Plumlee
Injury news: Terry Rozier (Ankle) is questionable
Cavaliers Projected Lineup
PG – Collin Sexton
SG – Darius Garland
SF – Evan Mobley
PF – Lauri Markkanen
C – Jarrett Allen
Injury news: Dean Wade (Ankle) is probable; Darius Garland (Ankle) is questionable; Dylan Windler (Hip) is out
Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET)
Nets Projected Lineup
PG – Kevin Durant
SG – James Harden
SF – Joe Harris
PF – Blake Griffin
C – Nic Claxton
Injury news: Kyrie Irving (Personal) and Day'Ron Sharpe (Toe) are out
76ers Projected Lineup
PG – Tyrese Maxey
SG – Seth Curry
SF – Danny Green
PF – Tobias Harris
C – Joel Embiid
Injury news: Joel Embiid (Knee) is questionable; Ben Simmons (Personal) and Shake Milton (Ankle) are out
Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET)
Raptors Projected Lineup
PG – Goran Dragic
SG – Fred VanVleet
SF – OG Anunoby
PF – Precious Achiuwa
C – Khem Birch
Injury news: Yuta Watanabe (Calf) is out
Celtics Projected Lineup
PG – Marcus Smart
SG – Jaylen Brown
SF – Jayson Tatum
PF – Robert Williams
C – Grant Williams
Injury news: Marcus Smart (Knee) is probable and Josh Richardson (Migraine) are probable; Al Horford (Conditioning) is questionable
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Chicago Bulls (8 p.m. ET)
Pelicans Projected Lineup
PG – Devonte' Graham
SG – Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SF – Brandon Ingram
PF – Naji Marshall
C – Jonas Valanciunas
Injury news: Josh Hart (Quad) is questionable
Bulls Projected Lineup
PG – Lonzo Ball
SG – DeMar DeRozan
SF – Zach LaVine
PF – Patrick Williams
C – Nikola Vucevic
Injury news: Patrick Williams (Shoulder) is probable
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets (8 p.m. ET)
Thunder Projected Lineup
PG – Josh Giddey
SG – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SF – Lu Dort
PF – Darius Bazley
C – Isaiah Roby
Injury news: Nothing new
Rockets Projected Lineup
PG – Kevin Porter Jr.
SG – Eric Gordon
SF – Jalen Green
PF – Christian Wood
C – Daniel Theis
Injury news: Danuel House (Personal) is out
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets (9 p.m. ET)
Spurs Projected Lineup
PG – Dejounte Murray
SG – Derrick White
SF – Doug McDermott
PF – Keldon Johnson
C – Jakob Poeltl
Injury news: Nothing new
Nuggets Projected Lineup
PG – Monte Morris
SG – Will Barton
SF – Michael Porter Jr.
PF – Aaron Gordon
C – Nikola Jokic
Injury news: Nothing new
Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings (9 p.m. ET)
Jazz Projected Lineup
PG – Mike Conley
SG – Donovan Mitchell
SF – Bojan Bogdanovic
PF – Royce O'Neale
C – Rudy Gobert
Injury news: Nothing new
Kings Projected Lineup
PG – De'Aaron Fox
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Tyrese Haliburton
PF – Harrison Barnes
C – Richaun Holmes
Injury news: Maurice Harkless (Hip) is questionable
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET)
Suns Projected Lineup
PG – Chris Paul
SG – Devin Booker
SF – Mikal Bridges
PF – Jae Crowder
C – Deandre Ayton
Injury news: Landry Shamet (Foot) is probable
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Russell Westbrook
SG – Kent Bazemore
SF – LeBron James
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Deandre Jordan
Injury news: Wayne Ellington (Hamstring), Trevor Ariza (Ankle), Kendrick Nunn (Knee) and Talen Horton-Tucker (Thumb) is injured
