April 28th NBA Injury Report and Projected Starting Lineups – Leonard, LaVine and Walker Remain Out
- There are ten games on the NBA schedule for Wednesday, April 28th
- The most interesting game of the day has the Los Angeles Clippers visiting the Phoenix Suns
- Get the projected lineups and latest injury report for all games below
The NBA slate for Wednesday is a busy one, with ten games set to tip. There are intriguing matchups in each conference, highlighted by a Western Conference showdown between the Los Angeles Clippers facing the Phoenix Suns in the desert. Also, on the Eastern Conference side, you have the Atlanta Hawks taking on the Philadelphia 76ers in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Suns (43-18) hold a one-game lead over the Clips (43-20) in the conference standings and are slight favorites over Tyronn Lue’s club Wednesday.
Both teams are nipping at the heels of the Utah Jazz (44-17) for the overall best record in the league. This is the third and final time the teams will play each other this season, with the Clippers winning both previous games (112-107 Jan. 3 in Phoenix and 113-103 April 8 in L.A.).
Here is a rundown of key injuries to be aware of Wednesday.
NBA Injury News – April 28th
- Kawhi Leonard won’t play against the Suns due to soreness in his right foot and will be reevaluated next week
- Despite a report that LeBron James could return this week from a high ankle sprain suffered March 20, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said Monday LBJ is out indefinitely
- According to Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk, Trae Young could return by the end of the week – but Atlanta’s leading scorer is still on the shelf for now with an ankle injury
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April 28th NBA Projected Starting Lineups
Magic vs Cavaliers Projected Lineups
Cole Anthony | PG | Darius Garland |
Gary Harris | SG | Isaac Okoro |
Dwayne Baconl | SF | Cedi Osman |
Chuma Okeke | PF | Kevin Love |
Wendell Carter Jr | C | Jarrett Allen |
The Cavs are expected to shut Larry Nance Jr down for the remainder of the season after he fractured his right thumb in Sunday’s 119-110 loss to the Wizards. Look for Orlando to take advantage of a depleted Cleveland roster.
Hawks vs 76ers Projected Lineups
Brandon Goodwin | PG | Ben Simmons |
Bogdan Bogdanovic | SG | Seth Curry |
Solomon Hill | SF | Danny Green |
John Collins | PF | Tobias Harris |
Clint Capela | C | Joel Embiid |
With Young still out and the Sixers as healthy as they’ve been all season, look for Philly to build on Monday’s 121-90 victory over Oklahoma City that snapped a season-long four-game losing streak and two-game home skid.
Lakers vs Wizards Projected Lineups
Dennis Schröder | PG | Russell Westbrook |
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | SG | Raul Nieto |
Kyle Kuzma | SF | Bradley Beal |
Anthony Davis | PF | Rui Hachimura |
Andre Drummond | C | Alex Len |
AD had 18 points and eight rebounds in a 114-103 win over the Magic Monday, one of six Laker players in double figures. The defending champs may not have King James back just yet – but a return to form (Davis played 31 minutes) upon his return makes Wednesday’s tilt against Washington’s dynamic duo of Westbrook and Beal an intriguing one.
Hornets vs Celtics Projected Lineups
Terry Rozier | PG | Marcus Smart |
Devonte’ Graham | SG | Jaylen Brown |
Cody Martin | SF | Semi Ojeleye |
Miles Bridges | PF | Jayson Tatum |
PJ Washington | C | Robert Williams III |
The C’s get Tatum back Wednesday, but are still without Kemba Walker. Head coach Brad Stevens said Walker – who is still battling a left oblique strain – is out for the game against Charlotte. LaMelo Ball – out with a wrist issue – might be able to practice Thursday, but will miss the game against Boston.
Bulls vs Knicks Projected Lineups
Coby White | PG | Elfrid Payton |
Garrett Temple | SG | RJ Barrett |
Patrick Williams | SF | Reggie Bullock |
Daniel Theis | PF | Julius Randle |
Nikola Vucevic | C | Nerlens Noel |
The Bulls are still without leading scorer Zach LaVine due to COVID-19 protocols. Vucevic has been stepping up in his absence though, putting up a team-high 24 points in a 110-102 win over the Heat Monday.
Spurs vs Heat Projected Lineups
Dejounte Murray | PG | Kendrick Nunn |
Lonnie Walker IV | SG | Duncan Robinson |
DeMar DeRozan | SF | Jimmy Butler |
Keldon Johnson | PF | Trevor Ariza |
Jakob Poeltl | C | Bam Adebayo |
Victor Oladipo remains out indefinitely for Miami with a knee injury, while Tyler Herro is questionable with a foot issue. Meantime, the Spurs don’t have any significant news on the injury front.
Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies Projected Lineups
Damian Lillard | PG | Ja Morant |
CJ McCollum | SG | Grayson Allen |
Norman Powell | SF | Dillon Brooks |
Robert Covington | PF | Kyle Anderson |
Jusuf Nurkic | C | Jonas Valančiūnas |
Both teams appear to be fully healthy for Wednesday’s tilt between a pair of teams jockeying for playoff positioning. Portland currently resides in the No. 7 slot, holding a 1.5 game-lead over No. 8 Memphis. The Blazers have 11 games remaining, while the Grizzlies have 12 left.
Pelicans vs Nuggets Projected Lineups
Lonzo Ball | PG | Facundo Campazzo |
Eric Bledsoe | SG | PJ Dozier |
Brandon Ingram | SF | Michael Porter Jr |
Zion Williamson | PF | Aaron Gordon |
Steven Adams | C | Nikola Jokic |
The Nuggets are settling into life without Jamal Murray. The star point guard had surgery on his torn ACL last week. Michael Porter Jr has excelled in seven games since Murray’s injury, averaging 25.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.4 three-pointers per game. Denver has gone 6-1 in that time frame.
Clippers vs Suns Projected Lineups
Reggie Jackson | PG | Chris Paul |
Terance Mann | SG | Devin Booker |
Paul George | SF | Mikal Bridges |
Marcus Morris | PF | Jae Crowder |
Ivica Zubac | C | Deandre Ayton |
Leonard’s absence is the obvious headline in this marquee matchup, while Crowder – who is battling an ankle injury – is expected to start for the home team.
Jazz vs Kings Projected Lineups
Mike Conley | PG | Tyrese Haliburton |
Joe Ingles | SG | Buddy Hield |
Bojan Bogdanović | SF | Maurice Harkless |
Royce O’Neale | PF | Harrison Barnes |
Rudy Gobert | C | Richaun Holmes |
De’Aaron Fox is still out for Sacramento due to COVID protocols, while Donovan Mitchell’s ankle will be re-evaluated next week. Look for the Jazz to still handle an undermanned Kings roster on the road.