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May 16th NBA Injury Report and Projected Starting Lineups – Curry Back for Warriors’ Key Regular Season Finale

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in NBA Basketball

Updated May 16, 2021 · 5:47 AM PDT

Steph Curry shooting with warm up shirt on
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors host the Memphis Grizzlies on the final day of the regular season. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • A full 15-game slate is on tap for the last day of the NBA regular season Sunday, May 16th
  • The Golden State Warriors host the Memphis Grizzlies in a key Western Conference matchup
  • Get the latest injury reports and projected lineups for all 15 games below

All 30 teams are in action Sunday for the final day of the NBA regular season.

All the playoff berths have been clinched,  including for the four-team play-in tournaments in both conference. However, none of the matchups in either the tourneys or first round of playoffs have been determined.

Seeding in the Western Conference play-in tourament will be at stake when the Memphis Grizzlies visit the Golden State Warriors at 3:30pm ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The winner will be the No. 8 seed and the loser will be the No. 9 seed. The Warriors are favored by five points.

The Grizzlies (38-33) are finishing the regular season strong as they are on a five-game winning streak. The Warriors (38-33) have also won five straight games.

Here is a rundown of key injuries to be aware of Sunday.

NBA Injury News – May 16th

  • The Warriors will get Stephen Curry (bruised tailbone) back for their pivotal game with the Grizzlies
  • Bradley Beal (strained right hamstring) could return for the Wizards as they host the Hornets
  • The Heat are hoping Jimmy Butler (lower back tightness) play in their visit to the Pistons

May 16th Projected NBA Starting Lineups

Jazz vs Kings Projected Lineups

Jazz
VS
Kings
Mike Conley PG Delon Wright
Joe Ingles SG Buddy Hield
Royce O’Neale SF Moe Harkless
Bojan Bogdanovic PF Chimezie Metu
Rudy Gobert C Damian Jones

The Jazz’s Mike Conley returned for Friday’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing nine games with right hamstring soreness.

Richaun Holmes (right knee soreness) is out for the Kings along with De’Aaron Fox (COVID-19 protocols), Marvin Bagley III (right groin soreness) and Harrison Barnes (left groin soreness). Hassan Whiteside (lower back tightness) is doubtful.

Rockets vs Hawks Projected Lineups

Rockets
VS
Hawks
D.J. Augustin PG Trae Young
Armoni Brooks SG Bogdan Bogdanovic
Jae’Sean Tate SF Solomon Hill
Kenyon Martin Jr. PF John Collins
Kelly Olynyk C Clint Capela

D.J. Wilson (COVID-19 protocols) has been cleared to play after missing seven games for the Rockets. Listed as out are Christian Wood (right ankle soreness), Kevin Porter Jr. (left ankle sprain), Khyri Thomas (right lower leg soreness), Danuel House Jr. (sore right ankle), Sterling Brown (head lacerations), Avery Bradley (personal reasons) and Eric Gordon (strained groin).

The Hawks’ Kevin Huerter (left ankle soreness) is listed as probable as is Tony Snell (right Achilles soreness), who has missed two of the last three games. Onyeka Okongwu (right shoulder soreness) is questionable.

Grizzlies vs Warriors Projected Lineups

Grizzlies
VS
Warriors
Ja Morant PG Stephen Curry
Desmond Bane SG Juan Toscano-Anderson
Dillon Brooks SF Draymond Green
Kyle Anderson PF Andrew Wiggins
Jonas Valanciunas C Kevon Looney

The Grizzlies will have Ja Morant (back soreness), Dillon Brooks (knee soreness), Kyle Anderson (thumb soreness), Jonas Valanciunas (back soreness), Jaren Jackson Jr. (rest) and Brandon Clarke (thigh soreness) back after they all sat out Friday’s win over the Sacramento Kings. Sean McDermott (left foot soreness) is out and Grayson Allen (strained abdomen) is questionable.

Stephen Curry (bruised tailbone) will return for the Warriors after missing Friday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans as will Draymond Green (left finger sprain) and Andrew Wiggins (knee soreness). Damion Lee (COVID-19 protocols) is out.

Suns vs Spurs Projected Lineups

Suns
VS
Spurs
Chris Paul PG Patty Mills
Devin Booker SG Lonnie Walker IV
Mikal Bridges SF Keldon Johnson
Jae Crowder PF DeMar DeRozan
Dario Saric C Jakob Poeltl

Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) is questionable for the Suns and Cameron Johnson (sprained right wrist) is doubtful.

DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl are expected to play after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the Suns for rest purposes. The Spurs are likely to be without Rudy Gay (heel soreness),  Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) and Trey Lyles (sprained right ankle).

Cavaliers vs Nets Projected Lineups

Cavaliers
VS
Nets
Collin Sexton PG James Harden
Isaac Okoro SG Kyrie Irving
Cedi Osman SF Bruce Brown
Dean Wade PF Kevin Durant
Jarrett Allen C Blake Griffin

The Cavaliers’ Kevin Love (bruised left knee), Isaiah Hartenstein (concussion) and Lamar Stevens (concussion) are out.

Joe Harris (strained glute) is out for the Nets.

Heat vs Pistons Projected Lineups

Heat
VS
Pistons
Kedrick Nunn PG Killian Hayes
Duncan Robinson SG Hamidou Diallo
Jimmy Butler SF Josh Jackson
Trevor Ariza PF Saddiq Bey
Bam Adebayo C Jahlil Okafor

Jimmy Butler (lower back tightness) is questionable for the Heat after missing the last two games.

The Pistons have a multitude of players who will sit out: Sekou Doumbouya (personal reasons), Wayne Ellington (strained calves), Jerami Grant (right knee soreness), Rodney McGruder (right elbow sprain), Dennis Smith (left knee soreness), Isaiah Stewart (personal reasons) and Mason Plumlee (rest). Cory Joseph (left ankle soreness) is questionable. Frank Jackson (sprained right ankle) and Deividas Sirvydas (leg soreness) are doubtful.

Clippers vs Thunder Projected Lineups

Clippers
VS
Thunder
Patrick Beverley PG Theo Maledon
Reggie Jackson SG Aleksaj Poksevski
Paul George SF Isaiah Roby
Kawhi Leonard PF Darius Bazley
Ivica Zubac C Moses Brown

The Clippers will get Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back after they sat out Friday’s loss to the Houston Rockets while rested. Also returning after missing Friday’s game are Reggie Jackson (left Achilles soreness) and Patrick Beverley (rest). Amir Coffey (COVID-19 protocols) will not play. DeMarcus Cousins (left foot soreness) and Terance Mann (personal reasons) are listed as questionable.

Luguentz Dort (right knee tendinitis) and Mike Muscala (sprained right ankle) have been ruled out for the Thunder. Ty Jerome (left calf strain) is questionable after missing the last four games.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves Projected Lineups

Mavericks
VS
Timberwolves
Luka Doncic PG Ricky Rubio
Tim Hardaway Jr. SG D’Angelo Russell
Dorian Finney-Smith SF Anthony Edwards
Kristaps Porzingis PF Jaden McDaniels
Dwight Powell C Karl-Anthony Towns

Maxi Kleber (right Achillies soreness) is doutbful for the Mavericks.

The Timberwolves’ Malik Beasley (strained left hamstring) is out.

Magic vs 76ers Projected Lineups

Magic
VS
76ers
Cole Anthony PG George Hill
Gary Harris SG Shake Milton
Dwayne Bacon SF Mike Scott
Moritz Wagner PF Tobias Harris
Mo Bamba C Joel Embiid

The Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. (eye) and R.J. Hampton (sprained right ankle) are questioable.

Ben Simmons (back stiffness), Seth Curry (rest), Danny Green (left hip soreness) and Matisse Thybulle (left hand swelling) are questionable for the 76ers. Joel Embiid (illness), Furkan Korkmaz (sprained right ankle) and Shake Milton (right knee soreness) are probable.

Lakers vs Pelicans Projected Lineups

Lakers
VS
Pelican
Dennis Schroder PG Eric Bledsoe
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker
LeBron James SF Naji Marshall
Anthony Davis PF Wenyen Gabriel
Andre Drummond C Willy Hernangomez

With the return of LeBron James (ankle) to the lineup for Saturday’s win over the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers may be as healthy as they been in a long time.

The Pelicans’ Zion Williamson (broken left index fingers) tops a long list of Pelicans who have been declared out and includes Steven Adams (sprained right toe), Lonzo Ball (strained right thumb), Josh Hart (right thumb surgery) and Brandon Ingram (sprained left ankle). Wes Iwundu (sprained left shoulder) and James Johnson (bruised left knee) are questionable.

Nuggets vs Trail Blazers Projected Lineups

Nuggets
VS
Trail Blazers
Facundo Campazzo PG Damian Lillard
Austin Rivers SG CJ McCollum
Michael Porter Jr. SF Norman Powell
Aaron Gordon PF Robert Covington
Nikola Jokic C Jusuf Nurkic

The Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon, Paul Millsap and Facundo Campazzo are all expected to play after being rested Friday night for the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Will Barton (strained right hamstring) and PJ Dozier (right groin strain) will not play.

Nassir Little (back spasms) will return to action for the Trail Blazers after sitting out the last two games. Zach Collins (left ankle surgery) is out.

Bucks vs Bulls Projected Lineups

Bucks
VS
Bulls
Jrue Holiday PG Cody White
Donte DiVincenzo SG Garrett Temple
Khris Middleton SF Patrick Williams
Giannis Antetokounmpo PF Thaddeus Young
Brook Lopez C Nikola Vucevic

Axel Toupane (strained right oblique) is out for the Bucks.

The Bulls will be without Zach LaVine (knee discomfort), Daniel Theis (strained right hip), Troy Brown (sprained ankle) and Tomas Satoransky (sprained ankle).

Hornets vs Wizards Projected Lineups

Hornets
VS
Wizards
LaMelo Ball PG Russell Westbrook
Terry Rozier SG Bradley Beal
Jalen McDaniels SF Raul Neto
PJ Washigton PF Rui Hachimura
Cody Zeller C Alex Len

The Hornets’ Cody Martin (sprained left ankle) has been ruled out.

Bradley Beal (strained right hamstring) and Raul Neto (left hamstring soreness) have been upgraded to questionable by the Wizards after Beal missed three games in a row and Neto sat out Friday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Garrison Mathews (sprained right wrist) is listed as probable.

Celtics vs Knicks Projected Lineups

Celtics
VS
Knicks
Payton Pritchard PG Elfrid Payton
Evan Fournier SG RJ Barrett
Jayson Tatum SF Reggie Bullock
Semi Ojeleye PF Julius Randle
Luke Kornet C Nerlens Noel

Marcus Smart (bruised calf), Tristan Thompson (strained left pectoral), Robert Williams (turf toe) and Kemba Walker (left cervical nerve irritation) will miss the game for the Celtics.

The Knicks are healthy.

Pacers vs Raptors Projected Lineups

Pacers
VS
Raptors
Justin Holliday PG Malachi Flynn
Caris LeVert SG Jalen Harris
Oshae Brissett SF Stanley Johnson
Doug McDermott PF Freddie Gillespie
Goga Bitadze C Khem Birch

The Pacers’ Jeremy Lamb (left knee soreness) is out while Domantas Sabonis (knee soreness), Aaron Holiday (sprained right toe), Edmond Sumner (bruised left knee) and Malcolm Brodgon (right hamstring soreness) are questionable.

Kyle Lowry (rest), Fred VanVleet (rest), OG Anunoby (strained left calf), Pascal Siakim (strained left shoulder), Yuta Watanabe (sprained right ankle) and Paul Watson (left knee tendinitis) are out for the Raptors.

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