April 18th NBA Injury News and Projected Starting Lineups

By Quinn Allen in NBA Basketball
Published:

- There are eight games across the NBA on Sunday, April 18th
- The matchup of the day will feature the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets
- Get the full projected lineups and injury report for all games below
Sunday’s schedule across the association features several intriguing contests, led by the Brooklyn Nets traveling to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat. However, Jimmy Butler could miss his first game since March 25th due to an ankle sprain.
In other action, The Pelicans and Knicks face-off. The Clippers, meanwhile, are prepared to be without Kawhi Leonard once again as they take on the Timberwolves.
Damian Lillard, who missed Friday’s game against the Spurs due to hamstring tightness, will be sidelined as the Blazers play the Hornets.
NBA Injury News – April 18th
- [8pm EST] Heat star Jimmy Butler listed as questionable (ankle sprain) for marquee matchup with Nets on Sunday
- [8 pm EST] Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard listed as questionable (foot) vs. Timberwolves, would be fifth-straight game missed
- [7 pm EST] Damian Lillard is out (hamstring) against Hornets, second consecutive contest missed
April 18th NBA Projected Starting Lineups
Pacers vs Hawks Projected Lineups
Malcolm Brogdon | PG | Trae Young |
Caris LeVert | SG | Bogdan Bogdanovic |
Edmond Sumner | SF | Kevin Huerter |
Justin Holiday | PF | Solomon Hill |
Clint Capela | C | Domantas Sabonis |
Indiana has two players who are listed as questionable for Sunday. Myles Turner could be available after missing the last six games due to an ankle sprain, but will be on a minutes limit. Doug McDermott is dealing with a similar injury and would also be limited if he did suit up.
The Hawks are still without Danilo Gallinari, Tony Snell, Kris Dunn, and Cam Reddish. John Collins is trending towards a return and is listed as questionable for this contest. The big man has been absent for nine games.
Pelicans vs Knicks Projected Starting Lineups
Lonzo Ball | PG | Elfrid Payton |
Eric Bledsoe | SG | RJ Barrett |
Brandon Ingram | SF | Reggie Bullock |
Zion Williamson | PF | Julius Randle |
Steven Adams | C | Nerlens Noel |
Both teams are looking relatively healthy for this one. The Pelicans are still without Josh Hart who is dealing with a long-term thumb injury, while backup guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is out for another week at the minimum with an ankle injury. Jaxson Hayes left Friday’s contest against the Wizards with back spasms, but he’s probable for Sunday.
The Knicks are only missing Alec Burks who has COVID-19 and Mitchell Robinson, who had surgery to repair a broken foot at the end of March.
Nets vs Heat Projected Starting Lineups
Kyrie Irving | PG | Kendrick Nunn |
Joe Harris | SG | Tyler Herro |
Kevin Durant | SF | Duncan Robinson |
Jeff Green | PF | Trevor Ariza |
DeAndre Jordan | C | Bam Adebayo |
For Brooklyn, James Harden continues to be sidelined with a hamstring injury, but he isn’t too far off a return. The Heat could very well be without Butler, which is going to make this a much tougher game for them on both ends. Victor Oladipo’s knee injury keeps him out again, while Andre Iguodala is questionable.
Trail Blazers vs Hornets Projected Starting Lineups
CJ McCollum | PG | Terry Rozier |
Norman Powell | SG | Cody Martin |
Derrick Jones | SF | Jalen McDaniels |
Robert Covington | PF | Miles Bridges |
Jusuf Nurkic | C | Bismack Biyombo |
The big absence in this one is Lillard. He’s out with a hamstring issue, which is slightly concerning for the Blazers. This will give Norman Powell the start at shooting guard again. The team pulled off a win without Dame against the Spurs on Friday.
Devonte’ Graham is questionable for Charlotte after being sidelined on Friday, while PJ Washington is also a doubt. Long-term absentees Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball will not suit up.
Rockets vs Magic Projected Starting Lineups
Avery Bradley | PG | Cole Anthony |
Kevin Porter Jr. | SG | Gary Harris |
Jae’Sean Tate | SF | James Ennis |
Kelly Olynyk | PF | Chuma Okeke |
Christian Wood | C | Wendell Carter |
Rockets guard John Wall will rest on Sunday after a poor showing in a blowout loss to the Nuggets on Friday. That should give Avery Bradley the start at PG. For the Magic, Otto Porter and Michael Carter-Williams remain out, while Mo Bamba is questionable. Cole Anthony should get another start in place of Carter-Williams.
Thunder vs Raptors Projected Starting Lineups
Theo Maledon | PG | Kyle Lowry |
Lu Dort | SG | Malachi Flynn |
Darius Bazley | SF | OG Anunoby |
Isaiah Roby | PF | Pascal Siakam |
Moses Brown | C | Khem Birch |
The Thunder will likely roll with a similar starting five as Friday, while the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mike Muscala, and Aleksej Pokusevski are out. Toronto gets back Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam after a rest day, but Fred VanVleet’s status is unclear due to a hip issue. Gary Trent Jr. is also questionable with an ankle injury.
Kings vs Mavericks Projected Starting Lineups
De’Aaron Fox | PG | Luka Doncic |
Buddy Hield | SG | Josh Richardson |
Harrison Barnes | SF | Dorian Finney-Smith |
Moe Harkless | PF | Maxi Kleber |
Hassan Whiteside | C | Kristaps Porzingis |
There are no notable absences in this contest. Marvin Bagley and Richaun Holmes remain out for the slumping Kings, while the Mavericks are at full strength as they look to hand Sacramento their 10th straight loss.
Timberwolves vs Clippers Projected Starting Lineups
Ricky Rubio | PG | Reggie Jackson |
Anthony Edwards | SG | Luke Kennard |
Josh Okogie | SF | Paul George |
Jaden McDaniels | PF | Marcus Morris |
Karl-Anthony Towns | C | Ivica Zubac |
The Timberwolves have a healthy squad for a tough matchup with the Clippers. Malik Beasley is the only player ruled out with a long-term hamstring injury, while second-unit guard Jaylen Nowell is questionable with a bruised tibia.
LA is without Kawhi again as Paul George will be relied upon to carry the offense. The veteran has dropped 30+ points in five straight games. Serge Ibaka and Patrick Beverley also remain sidelined.

Sports Writer
Quinn Allen is a sports journalist, with a background and education in broadcast journalism (BCIT '17). He is a full-time associate editor at ClutchPoints by day, where he writes about soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and more. At night, Quinn is a frequent contributor at SBD.