NBA COVID-19 Report – See All Players Out Due to Health and Safety Protocols on Wednesday

• Giannis Antetokounmpo is the latest NBA star to enter health and safety protocols
• Antetokounmpo will miss Wednesday’s game versus Indiana
• The projected lineups and NBA injury reports for all 11 games can be found below

COVID outbreaks are running rampant through professional sports. Players are testing positive, practices and even games are being cancelled, while some teams are being forced to devise game plans virtually.

The NBA has been hit incredibly hard, and more big names have now entered health and safety protocols. James Harden entered the protocol an hour before the Nets played the Raptors on Tuesday, and shortly afterwards it was announced Giannis Antetokounmpo has suffered the same fate.

The Greek Freak will miss Milwaukee’s contest versus Indiana on Wednesday (Dec. 15th), and is just one of many injury situations that will drastically impact the 11-game slate.

NBA Injury News – December 15

• UPDATE 11:41 am ET – Heat guard Tyler Herro is out versus Philadelphia with a quad injury
• Bucks forward Giannis Antekounmpo is out versus the Pacers for health and protocol reasons
• Bucks forward Khris Middleton is questionable due to a hyper-extended left knee he suffered on Monday
• The Lakers cancelled practice Tuesday after guard Talen Horton-Tucker tested positive for COVID-19
• Lakers forward Anthony Davis is questionable Wednesday versus Dallas thanks to knee soreness
• 76ers center Joel Embiid (ribs) and guard Seth Curry (shoulder) are questionable versus Miami
• Clippers forward Paul George (elbow) is questionable versus Utah
• Rockets guard Eric Gordon (groin) and forward Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) are out versus Cleveland

December 15 NBA Projected Starting Lineups

Pacers vs Bucks Projected Lineups

The Bucks will also be without Wesley Matthews (health and safety protocols) and possibly second leading scorer Khris Middleton as well. Middleton is currently questionable after hyper-extending his left knee versus Boston on Monday.

On the Pacers side, Justin Holiday is also in health and safety protocols and won’t play.

Rockets vs Cavaliers Projected Lineups

The Rockets will without three key rotational players and possibly four when they face the Cavaliers. Eric Gordon (groin), Kevin Porter Jr (thigh) and Danuel House (ankle) are out, while Christian Wood (knee) is questionable.

Currently, there are no new Cavs injuries to report.

Hawks vs Magic Projected Lineups

Neither the Hawks or Magic have any new serious injuries or health concerns to report. Atlanta forward De’Andre Hunter (wrist) and guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) remain out, while Onyeka Okongwu (shoulder) is day-to-day.

Jalen Suggs (thumb), Michael Carter-Williams (ankle), and E’Twaun Moore (knee) all remain sidelined for Orlando.

Heat vs 76ers Projected Lineups

The Heat will be shorthanded when they face the 76ers as Jimmy Butler (back), Bam Adebayo (thumb), Markieff Morris (back), and Caleb Martin (health and safety protocols) are all out. Tyler Herro meanwhile, was ruled out Wednesday morning with a quad injury.

Philly is currently listing Joel Embiid (ribs) and Seth Curry (shoulder) questionable. If Embiid can’t go, Andre Drummond will start, while if Curry misses, Furkan Korkmaz will likely get his minutes.

Lakers vs Mavericks Projected Lineups

The Lakers vs Mavericks tilt will be lacking star power on Wednesday. Luka Doncic will miss his third straight game with an ankle injury, while Anthony Davis is questionable with knee soreness that has forced him to miss back-to-back outings. LeBron James is probable (abdomen), while Talen Horton-Tucker has entered the health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID.

Horton-Tucker’s positive test forced LA to cancel practice on Tuesday, but so far no other players have been affected.

Pelicans vs Thunder Projected Lineups

OKC will be missing Luguentz Dort when they face New Orleans after he suffered an ankle injury Sunday versus Dallas. There’s nothing significant to report for the Pelicans, other than Zion Williamson suffered a setback in his recovery from foot surgery and will be out even longer than expected.

Hornets vs Spurs Projected Lineups

Charlotte is starting to get healthy as the bulk of its players who were in health and safety protocols have now returned with the exception of guard Ish Smith. Starting point guard LaMelo Ball cleared the protocol but has been assigned to the Greensboro Swarm for a conditioning assignment and will miss his sixth straight game.

There are no injuries to report for San Antonio.

Timberwolves vs Nuggets Projected Lineups

D’Angelo Russell is the lone Minnesota player to carry an injury designation versus Denver. Russell is questionable with an ankle injury.

As for the Nuggets, Austin Rivers is questionable to return after a stint in the protocol, while JaMychal Green (ankle) is out.

Clippers vs Jazz Projected Lineups

Paul George is questionable to return to the Clippers lineup after missing the past thee games with an elbow bruise. Nicolas Batum (ankle) is also questionable, while Serge Ibaka (personal) is out.

Utah will enter this matchup in pristine health.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers Projected Lineups

Ja Morant remains in health and safety protocols for Memphis, while Ziaire Williams (ankle) and Brandon Clarke (knee) will also sit out.

Portland’s CJ McCollum will miss another game due to his collapsed lung, while Cody Zeller is out with a knee injury.

Wizards vs Kings Projected Lineups

The final matchup of the night features two teams in relatively good health. Washington will only be missing Kyle Kuzma, who remains in health and safety protocols, while Richaun Holmes is doubtful for Sacramento with an eye injury.