Each day, this column will provide live updates for all NBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current NBA slate.
Key NBA News to Watch
LeBron James (foot) — In
Pascal Siakam (adductor) — Injured
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) — In
Anthony Davis (back) — In
Darius Garland (knee) — In
Fred VanVleet (back) — In
Zach LaVine (injury management) — Out
Jarred Vanderbilt (adductor) — Out
Recent NBA News
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Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) — In
Darius Garland (knee) — In
Dylan Windler (ankle) — Out
Ricky Rubio (ACL) — Injured
Caris LeVert, Raul Neto, and Cedi Osman all received expanded on-ball roles with the starting guards out Friday. Jarrett Allen's 29.6% usage led the team and Kevin Love recorded a 50.0% assist rate as more offense ran through the centers as well.
Confirmed Lineup: LeBron James, Kendrick Nunn, Troy Brown Jr., Lonnie Walker, Anthony Davis
LeBron James (foot) — In
Wenyen Gabriel (illness) — Available
Anthony Davis (back) — In
Patrick Beverley (illness) — Out
Dennis Schroder (thumb) — Injured
Thomas Bryant (thumb) — Injured
On injury report before playing:
LeBron: 9-for-9 AD: 7-for-8
The Lakers draw a challenging matchup against a Cavaliers team that ranks first in net rating despite Darius Garland being mostly unavailable this season.
Confirmed Lineup: Ayo Dosunmu, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
Derrick Jones Jr. (thumb) — Available
Zach LaVine (injury management) — Out
Coby White (quad) — Out
Marko Simonovic (G-League) — Out
Andre Drummond (shoulder) — Injured
Lonzo Ball (knee) — Injured
DeRozan (32.0%) and Vucevic (24.1%) have received expanded usage in games LaVine has missed this season. Goran Dragic has taken on 24.6% usage with White out for the last three games and his shot creation would be even more important if LaVine rests the front end of a back-to-back.
Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Christian Koloko
Fred VanVleet (back) — In
Khem Birch (knee) — Out
Pascal Siakam (adductor) — Injured
Justin Champagnie (G-League) — Out
Barnes recorded 29.6% usage and an 85.7% assist rate in the fourth quarter after Siakam's departure Friday. Siakam has led the Raptors in both usage and assist rate thus far, and opportunities should expand across the lineup in his expected absence.
Confirmed Lineup: Monte Morris, Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis
Bradley Beal (health protocols) — Out
Johnny Davis (G-League) — Out
Isaiah Todd (G-League) — Out
Vernon Carey Jr. (G-League) — Out
Delon Wright (hamstring) — Injured
Barton, Morris, and likely Deni Avdija should initiate more offense with Beal in health and safety protocols for at least the fifth time. Kuzma recorded 27.5% usage and a 24.1% assist rate with Porzingis also adding 31.2% usage after Beal was out for the season last year.
Confirmed Lineup: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Santi Aldama, Steven Adams
Ziaire Williams (knee) — Injured
Jaren Jackson Jr. (foot) — Injured
Danny Green (ACL) — Injured
The Grizzlies' 55.3 points in the paint per game rank fifth league-wide. The Wizards surprisingly rank second in the league at allowing points in the paint, at just 42.4 per game.
Confirmed Lineup: Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk
Jarred Vanderbilt (adductor) — Out
Leandro Bolmaro (conditioning) — Out
Utah has been opportunistic this season: they currently rank top five in both second-chance points and points off of turnovers.
Confirmed Lineup: Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Paul George, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac
Robert Covington (conditioning) — Available
Kawhi Leonard (injury management) — Out
Luke Kennard (chest) — Out
Jason Preston (G-League assignment) — Out
Morris has averaged 33.6 minutes per game and Zubac 29.0 with Covington unavailable for the last four games.