NBA Starting Lineups Today

This page lists the NBA starting lineups and sixth man for each game on today’s NBA schedule. Use the links below to navigate directly to specific games.

NBA Lineups for Thursday, June 1

Heat vs Nuggets Game 1

Heat vs Nuggets Game 1 Lineup

When Do NBA Teams Have to Announce Their Lineups?

As of September 2021, NBA teams are required to announce their lineups no later than 30 minutes before tipoff. (The previous rule was just 10 minutes before tip.)

In practice, the vast majority of NBA lineups are known much earlier, and the lineups on this page are generally available early in the morning on gameday.

Why Are NBA Starting Lineups Important for Betting?

Like a starting QB in the NFL, the presence/absence of star NBA players can make a massive difference to the NBA odds and the projected score of a game. Over the past few years, in particular, coaches have tended to ensure their players get sufficient rest throughout the gruelling 82-game schedule. This leads to players – even star players – sitting out when they don’t have an injury designation. (It’s now common to see “DNP – Rest” on the box score
When bettors see a point spread that looks completely out of line, it’s vital to check the lineups for the game before jumping on it. Usually, those point spreads are motivated by injuries and absences of key starters.

What Is an NBA Starting Lineup?

The term “starting lineup” denotes the five players who will start for a team in any given game. NBA teams dress more than five players for each game (more on this below) but can only have five players on the court at a time.

The significance of “starting” depends on the team/coach. Some teams rely far more heavily on their bench than others. In the 2021-22 season, the Grizzlies’ bench players played 1,621 minutes (most in the NBA) while the Raptors’ bench played just 1,179 (30th), nearly 30% less.

How Many Players Are in NBA Lineups?

NBA teams can carry up to 15 players on their roster, but can only dress 13 players, at most, for each game.

There is no requirement to dress 13 players for each game. The league has set the minimum at eight active players for each team per game.

When are NBA starting lineups due?

The rule set by the league is that teams must submit their lineup of active players at least 30 minutes before game time.

How often do NBA lineups change?

It depends entirely on the team. As long as rosters remain healthy, it's not common for NBA coaches to swap their starters from game to game. But when injuries and trades are factored in, NBA starting lineups change frequently in practice.

What positions are there in an NBA game/lineup?

The traditional NBA lineup includes a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. But unlike in a sport such as baseball, the players don't have to be designated as a certain position. If a coach saw fit, (s)he could run out five 7-footers for the opening tip or a lineup comprised entirely of point guards.