NBA Injury News & Starting Lineups (December 22): Christian Wood Expected to Play, Aaron Gordon Available, Richaun Holmes Questionable Wednesday

Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Wednesday's NBA slate, along with notable injury news for each squad. For real-time injury updates, check out our FantasyLabs NBA news page. 

NBA Injury News

7 p.m. ET Update: Christian Wood is expected to suit up for the Houston Rockets. Aaron Gordon and JaMychal Green have been cleared to play for the Denver Nuggets.

Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony have been ruled out for the Orlando Magic. Bogdan Bogdanovic is available to play for the Atlanta Hawks.

Kevin Huerter has entered the league's health and safety protocols.

Wednesday's injury news can be split between traditional injuries and COVID-related absences.

On the COVID front, tonight's game between the Raptors and Bulls has been postponed and OG Anunoby has entered health and safety protocols, which brings the Raptors' total to eight players.

Mychal Mulder of the Magic has entered health and safety protocols joining five of his teammates. Lou Williams and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot have also entered protocols and won't play in the Magic-Hawks matchup.

Luka Doncic and Trey Burke have entered protocols and won't play Thursday against the Bucks. Nerlens Noel has entered protocols and won't play tomorrow against the Wizards.

As for traditional injuries, Kevin Love is questionable to play Wednesday with a sore foot. If he plays, Love is projected to start for the first time this season with the Cavaliers missing several players up front.

Cole Anthony is questionable with an ankle injury that has sidelined him for two games in a row.

Aaron Gordon and JaMychal Green are questionable to play Wednesday. Gordon has a sore right hamstring and Green has missed three straight games with an ankle injury.

Christian Wood, who sat out two games last week with knee soreness, is questionable Wednesday with the same issue. He's played around 30 minutes in his two games back. Richaun Holmes is, once again, questionable to play as he tries to return from an eye injury that kept him sidelined for seven straight games.

Projected Starting Lineups

Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m. ET)

Magic Projected Lineup

PG – Cole Anthony
SG – Gary Harris
SF – Franz Wagner
PF – Chuma Okeke
C – Robin Lopez

Injury news: Wendell Carter Jr. (Leg), Cole Anthony (Ankle) and Jalen Suggs (Thumb) are out; Mo Bamba, Ignas Brazdeikis, Terrence Ross, Moe Wagner, Mychal Mulder, RJ Hampton are in the league’s health and safety protocols

Hawks Projected Lineup

PG – Delon Wright
SG – Bogdan Bogdanovic
SF – Cam Reddish
PF – John Collins
C – Onyeka Okongwu

Injury news: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Ankle) is available; De'Andre Hunter (Wrist) is out; Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams, Danilo Gallinari, Clint Capela, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Trae Young (COVID Protocols) are in the league’s health and safety protocols

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET)

Cavaliers Projected Lineup

PG – Darius Garland
SG – Ricky Rubio
SF – Lauri Markkanen
PF – Dean Wade
C – Kevin Love

Injury news: Denzel Valentine (Health and Safety) is available; Kevin Love (Foot) is questionable; Ed Davis, Jarrett Allen, Lamar Stevens, RJ Nembhard, Dylan Windle, Isaac Okor, Evan Moble are in the league’s health and safety protocols

Celtics Projected Lineup

PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Marcus Smart
SF – Jaylen Brown
PF – Jayson Tatum
C – Robert Williams

Injury news: Robert Williams (Personal) is no longer on the injury list; Josh Richardson, Al Horford, Jabari Parker, Juancho Hernangomez, Grant Williams, Sam Hauser, Brodric Thomas are in the league’s health and safety protocols

Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET)

Nuggets Projected Lineup

PG – Monte Morris
SG – Will Barton
SF – Jeff Green
PF – Aaron Gordon
C – Nikola Jokic

Injury news: JaMychal Green (Ankle) and Aaron Gordon (Hamstring) are available; Markus Howard (Knee) is out; Bol Bol is in the league’s health and safety protocols

Thunder Projected Lineup

PG – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG – Lu Dort
SF – Josh Giddey
PF – Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
C – Derrick Favors

Injury news: Tre Mann (Toe) is available; Mike Muscala (Rest) is out

Houston Rockets vs. Milwaukee Bucks (8 p.m. ET)

Rockets Projected Lineup

PG – Armoni Brooks
SG – Eric Gordon
SF – Garrison Mathews
PF – Jae'Sean Tate
C – Christian Wood

Injury news: Christian Wood (Knee) is questionable; Jalen Green (Hamstring) and Kevin Porter Jr. (Thigh) are out

Bucks Projected Lineup

PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Grayson Allen
SF – Pat Connaughton
PF – Khris Middleton
C – DeMarcus Cousins

Injury news: Rodney Hood (Achilles) and DeMarcus Cousins (Personal) are probable; Donte DiVincenzo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis (COVID Protocols) are in the league’s health and safety protocols

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET)

Clippers Projected Lineup

PG – Eric Bledsoe
SG – Terance Mann
SF – Paul George
PF – Nicolas Batum
C – Ivica Zubac

Injury news: Luke Kennard (Hip) and Isaiah Hartenstein (Ankle) are out; Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris (COVID Protocols) is in the league’s health and safety protocols

Kings Projected Lineup

PG – Tyrese Haliburton
SG – Buddy Hield
SF – Harrison Barnes
PF – Chimezie Metu
C – Richaun Holmes

Injury news: Richaun Holmes (Eye) is questionable; Alex Len, De'Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, Terence Davis, Marvin Bagley and Neemias Queta are in the league’s health and safety protocols

Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls (PPD)

This game was postponed on Wednesday morning.

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