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April 28th NBA Injury Report and Projected Starting Lineups – Leonard, LaVine and Walker Remain Out

Blair Johnson

by Blair Johnson in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 28, 2021 · 8:30 AM PDT

Zach LaVine remains out for the Bulls on Wednesday. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • 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

April 28th NBA Projected Starting Lineups

Magic vs Cavaliers Projected Lineups

Magic
VS
Cavaliers
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

Hawks
VS
76ers
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

Lakers
VS
Wizards
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

Hornets
VS
Celtics
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

Bulls
VS
Knicks
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

Spurs
VS
Heat
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

Blazers
VS
Grizzlies
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

Pelicans
VS
Nuggets
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

Clippers
VS
Suns
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

Jazz
VS
Kings
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.

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