NBA COVID & Health/Safety Protocols Report December 10th – See All Players Sitting Out on Friday

• Five Charlotte Hornets players have been ruled out due to COVID protocols Friday
• The Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers cancelled practices out of precaution
• The projected lineups and NBA injury reports for all nine games can be found below

While it’s not done major damage, COVID-19 has started to seep into the NBA and a few teams are feeling those effects.

Two of those teams are the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets. Both have five players sidelined with COVID or in the health and safety protocol.

Most notable for the Bulls is DeMar DeRozan, who’s been having an all-star first half campaign. Since Saturday, Charlotte has to deal with the loss of guard LaMelo Ball, and fellow starters Terry Rozier and Mason Plumlee, who will sit again Friday as the Hornets take on the SacTo Kings.

Point guard Ja Morant has COVID as he’s been dealing with a knee injury, and fellow starter Dillon Brooks was just felled with it Thursday, pushing him out of a game with the Lakers.

Let’s run down the latest injury reports for a nine-pack of NBA games set for Friday.

NBA Injury News – December 10

• [12:31pm ET] Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers cancel practices amid COVID-19 concerns
• [2:15pm ET] Five Charlotte Hornets, including LaMelo Ball, are out Friday for health and protocol reasons
• [3:49pm ET] Grizzlies’ guard Dillon Brooks missed Lakers’ game Thursday, out until at least Dec 19

December 10 NBA Projected Starting Lineups

Kings vs Hornets Projected Lineups

The Hornets announced Thursday that LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee, Ish Smith and Jalen McDaniels are still out under the league’s health and safety protocols. Ball, Rozier and Plumlee are all starters, while McDaniels has appeared in 22 games this season, and Smith has played 18.

The Kings will be without starting center Richaun Holmes (eye) and small forward Robert Woodward III (ankle).

Mavericks vs Pacers Projected Lineups

Sterling Brown (foot), is questionable, while big man Willie Cauley-Stein is out (personal).

For the Pacers, Justin Holiday is still out due to health and safety protocols.

Nets vs Hawks Projected Lineups

Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge sat out last game’s loss to the Rockets for rest, but should be ready Friday.

Atlanta is hurting along the wing, starting with Cam Reddish, who’s questionable with a wrist injury. De’Andre Hunter had a cast removed for his wrist injury, but is still out. Bogdan Bogdanovic is expected out for a few weeks with an ankle injury, while Solomon Hill is out with a hamstring tear.

Knicks vs Raptors Projected Lineups

Knicks forward Nerlens Noel is probably Friday against Toronto while he battles a back injury.

While Raptors’ president Masai Ujiri has tested positive for COVID, no one on the team has at this moment, though the team does have significant injuries: OG Anunoby (hip) and Khem Birch (ankle) are out for the foreseeable future. Precious Achiuwa (shoulder) is questionable vs the Knicks, while Goran Dragic is out for personal reasons.

Bucks vs Rockets Projected Lineups

Reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is probable with a right quad contusion, while George Hill is questionable with a knee injury.

Houston is dealing with a bunch of injuries, including Kevin Porter Jr (thigh), Danuel House Jr (ankle) as well as Jaelen Green (hamstring). All are out Friday.

Cavaliers vs Timberwolves Projected Lineups

Aside from Collin Sexton, who’s out with the year with an knee injury, the Cavs have no injuries to report. For the Timberwolves, Patrick Beverley is day-to-day with an adductor injury, while D’Angelo Russell (ankle) is questionable.

Pistons vs Pelicans Projected Lineups

No recent injuries to report for the Pistons, who have been without Kelly Olynyk (knee) and Chris Smith (knee) since early November.

For the Pels, Zion Williamson (foot) has yet to play a game for New Orleans this season, and just had a setback in his recovery. Kira Lewis is done for the year with a torn ACL and MCL sprain.

Lakers vs Thunder Projected Lineups

Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (illness) was out of the lineup Thursday, while Kendrick Nunn (knee) has been ruled out until at least the new year. Trevor Ariza (ankle) is out indefinitely.

No injuries to report for the Thunder.

Celtics vs Suns Projected Lineups

All-star wing Jaylen Brown is out Friday as he deals with a hamstring injury, as is Bruno Fernando, who has a back injury.

All-star Devin Booker will also miss this one as he recovers from a hamstring injury, while Frank Kaminsky (knee) is out, though he was seen taking part in stationary shooting drills at practice.