NBA starting lineups for Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21: the projected starting five for each team in the 14 games, taken as the first name at each position on ESPN’s depth charts at 3:56 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, October 20. Of those 140 starters, 13 are on ESPN’s injury report, listed below.
A depth chart is a projection, not a team announcement. Coaches name their starters shortly before tip-off, and a late scratch or a matchup choice can change a lineup after this read; the page is rebuilt on game days, and the time above is the time of the read. Each game below has its two lineups by position as ESPN’s depth chart sets them, then DraftKings’ spread and total from ESPN’s odds feed, our prediction, and both teams’ injury reports. Injury statuses are ESPN’s own words: Out, or Day-To-Day, which ESPN uses for a player whose status is decided from game to game.
Projected starters on the injury report
Each of these players is still listed first at his position on ESPN’s depth chart while ESPN’s injury report carries him. The next name at the position is the one the depth chart lists second.
| Team | Player | Position | ESPN status | Injury | Listed next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spurs | Tobias Harris | Power forward | Out | Calf | Julian Champagnie |
| Magic | Franz Wagner | Small forward | Day-To-Day | Shoulder | Jamal Cain |
| Wizards | AJ Dybantsa | Small forward | Day-To-Day | Ankle | Bilal Coulibaly |
| Heat | Bam Adebayo | Center | Day-To-Day | Groin | Bobby Portis |
| Hornets | Coby White | Point guard | Day-To-Day | Calf | Dennis Schroder |
| Hornets | Kon Knueppel | Shooting guard | Day-To-Day | Hamstring | Grayson Allen |
| Hornets | Moussa Diabate | Center | Day-To-Day | Elbow | Hannes Steinbach |
| Bulls | Nic Claxton | Center | Out | Hamstring | Jalen Smith |
| Pacers | Aaron Nesmith | Small forward | Day-To-Day | Hamstring | Jarace Walker |
| Mavericks | Dereck Lively II | Center | Day-To-Day | Foot | Daniel Gafford |
| Warriors | Stephen Curry | Point guard | Day-To-Day | Ankle | De’Anthony Melton |
| Warriors | Brandin Podziemski | Shooting guard | Day-To-Day | Back | De’Anthony Melton |
| Suns | Oso Ighodaro | Center | Day-To-Day | Hip | Khaman Maluach |
Tobias Harris and Nic Claxton are listed Out, so those lineups will change unless the status does; the others are Day-To-Day.
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons, Tue Oct 20, 3:00 p.m. ET
| Position | Celtics | Pistons |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Derrick White | Cade Cunningham |
| Shooting guard | Paul George | Duncan Robinson |
| Small forward | Jayson Tatum | Ausar Thompson |
| Power forward | Jordan Walsh | John Collins |
| Center | Mitchell Robinson | Jalen Duren |
The game is at Little Caesars Arena. DraftKings has Celtics -1.5 and a total of 222.5. Our prediction: Pistons +100.
ESPN’s injury report: Celtics, Devin Carter (Out, illness); Pistons, Taurean Prince (Day-To-Day, personal).
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks, Tue Oct 20, 7:00 p.m. ET
| Position | 76ers | Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Tyrese Maxey | Jalen Brunson |
| Shooting guard | VJ Edgecombe | Josh Hart |
| Small forward | Jaylen Brown | Mikal Bridges |
| Power forward | LeBron James | OG Anunoby |
| Center | Joel Embiid | Karl-Anthony Towns |
The game is at Madison Square Garden. DraftKings has Knicks -4.5 and a total of 232.5. Our prediction: No bet.
ESPN’s injury report: 76ers, Ariel Hukporti (Out, achilles), Dominick Barlow (Out, back), Tacko Fall (Out, hip), Adem Bona (Day-To-Day, foot), Anfernee Simons (Day-To-Day, hamstring), Dean Wade (Day-To-Day, ankle); Knicks, nobody listed.
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, Tue Oct 20, 9:30 p.m. ET
| Position | Thunder | Spurs |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | De’Aaron Fox |
| Shooting guard | Cason Wallace | Stephon Castle |
| Small forward | Jalen Williams | Devin Vassell |
| Power forward | Chet Holmgren | Tobias Harris (Out) |
| Center | Isaiah Hartenstein | Victor Wembanyama |
The game is at Frost Bank Center. DraftKings has Spurs -1.5 and a total of 233.5. Our prediction: No bet.
ESPN’s injury report: Thunder, Nikola Topic (Out, back), Otega Oweh (Out, achilles), Thomas Sorber (Out, knee); Spurs, Jayden Quaintance (Out, knee), Tobias Harris (Out, calf).
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic, Wed Oct 21, 7:00 p.m. ET
| Position | Hawks | Magic |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | CJ McCollum | Jalen Suggs |
| Shooting guard | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Desmond Bane |
| Small forward | Dyson Daniels | Franz Wagner (Day-To-Day) |
| Power forward | Jalen Johnson | Paolo Banchero |
| Center | Onyeka Okongwu | Wendell Carter Jr. |
The game is at Kia Center. DraftKings has Magic -2.5 and a total of 235.5. Our prediction: No bet.
ESPN’s injury report: Hawks, Henri Veesaar (Out, knee), Mouhamed Gueye (Out, foot); Magic, Izaiyah Nelson (Out, ankle), Noah Penda (Out, hamstring), Anthony Black (Day-To-Day, ankle), Franz Wagner (Day-To-Day, shoulder), Jase Richardson (Day-To-Day, back), Jonathan Isaac (Day-To-Day, knee).
Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards, Wed Oct 21, 7:00 p.m. ET
| Position | Bucks | Wizards |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Ryan Rollins | Trae Young |
| Shooting guard | Tyler Herro | Kyshawn George |
| Small forward | Jaime Jaquez Jr. | AJ Dybantsa (Day-To-Day) |
| Power forward | Kyle Kuzma | Anthony Davis |
| Center | Myles Turner | Alex Sarr |
The game is at Capital One Arena. DraftKings has Wizards -4.5 and a total of 238.5. Our prediction: Bucks +164.
ESPN’s injury report: Bucks, Jericho Sims (Day-To-Day, undisclosed), Nate Ament (Day-To-Day, ankle); Wizards, Jamir Watkins (Out, knee), Tristan Vukcevic (Out, hip), AJ Dybantsa (Day-To-Day, ankle).
Minnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat, Wed Oct 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
| Position | Timberwolves | Heat |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | LaMelo Ball | Davion Mitchell |
| Shooting guard | Anthony Edwards | Klay Thompson |
| Small forward | Jonathan Kuminga | Andrew Wiggins |
| Power forward | Jaden McDaniels | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| Center | Rudy Gobert | Bam Adebayo (Day-To-Day) |
The game is at Kaseya Center. DraftKings has Heat -1.5 and a total of 243.5. Our prediction: No bet.
ESPN’s injury report: Timberwolves, Donte DiVincenzo (Out, achilles), Rocco Zikarsky (Day-To-Day, undisclosed); Heat, Bam Adebayo (Day-To-Day, groin), Dru Smith (Day-To-Day, calf), Pelle Larsson (Day-To-Day, illness).
Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets, Wed Oct 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
| Position | Hornets | Nets |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Coby White (Day-To-Day) | Mikel Brown Jr. |
| Shooting guard | Kon Knueppel (Day-To-Day) | Egor Demin |
| Small forward | Brandon Miller | Michael Porter Jr. |
| Power forward | Naz Reid | Julius Randle |
| Center | Moussa Diabate (Day-To-Day) | Day’Ron Sharpe |
The game is at Barclays Center. DraftKings has Nets -1.5 and a total of 219.5. Our prediction: Hornets +100.
ESPN’s injury report: Hornets, Coby White (Day-To-Day, calf), Grant Williams (Day-To-Day, hamstring), Grayson Allen (Day-To-Day, knee), Kon Knueppel (Day-To-Day, hamstring), Kylan Boswell (Day-To-Day, knee), Moussa Diabate (Day-To-Day, elbow); Nets, Tyler Bilodeau (Out, shoulder).
Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors, Wed Oct 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
| Position | Bulls | Raptors |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Josh Giddey | Immanuel Quickley |
| Shooting guard | Norman Powell | RJ Barrett |
| Small forward | Matas Buzelis | Kawhi Leonard |
| Power forward | Caleb Wilson | Scottie Barnes |
| Center | Nic Claxton (Out) | Jakob Poeltl |
The game is at Scotiabank Arena. DraftKings has Raptors -9.5 and a total of 236.5. Our prediction: Bulls +330.
ESPN’s injury report: Bulls, Nic Claxton (Out, hamstring), Isaac Okoro (Day-To-Day, undisclosed), Tobe Awaka (Day-To-Day, knee), Zach Collins (Day-To-Day, toe); Raptors, Nate Bittle (Day-To-Day, foot).
Utah Jazz at Memphis Grizzlies, Wed Oct 21, 8:00 p.m. ET
| Position | Jazz | Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Keyonte George | Ty Jerome |
| Shooting guard | Darryn Peterson | Cedric Coward |
| Small forward | Lauri Markkanen | Jaylen Wells |
| Power forward | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Cameron Boozer |
| Center | Jaxson Hayes | Zach Edey |
The game is at FedExForum. DraftKings has Grizzlies -1.5 and a total of 242.5. Our prediction: No bet.
ESPN’s injury report: Jazz, Jusuf Nurkic (Out, foot), Blake Hinson (Day-To-Day, hamstring), Kyle Filipowski (Day-To-Day, back), Trey Alexander (Day-To-Day, knee); Grizzlies, Isaiah Stewart (Out, ankle), GG Jackson (Day-To-Day, ankle), Jerami Grant (Day-To-Day, undisclosed).
Indiana Pacers at New Orleans Pelicans, Wed Oct 21, 8:00 p.m. ET
| Position | Pacers | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Tyrese Haliburton | Dejounte Murray |
| Shooting guard | Andrew Nembhard | Trey Murphy III |
| Small forward | Aaron Nesmith (Day-To-Day) | Herbert Jones |
| Power forward | Pascal Siakam | Zion Williamson |
| Center | Ivica Zubac | Yves Missi |
The game is at Smoothie King Center. DraftKings has Pacers -3.5 and a total of 240.5. Our prediction: Pelicans +136.
ESPN’s injury report: Pacers, Johnny Furphy (Out, knee), Aaron Nesmith (Day-To-Day, hamstring), Jarace Walker (Day-To-Day, undisclosed), T.J. McConnell (Day-To-Day, undisclosed); Pelicans, nobody listed.
Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets, Wed Oct 21, 8:30 p.m. ET
| Position | Mavericks | Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Kyrie Irving | Fred VanVleet |
| Shooting guard | Zaccharie Risacher | Amen Thompson |
| Small forward | Cooper Flagg | Kevin Durant |
| Power forward | P.J. Washington | Jabari Smith Jr. |
| Center | Dereck Lively II (Day-To-Day) | Alperen Sengun |
The game is at Toyota Center (Houston). DraftKings has Rockets -8.5 and a total of 229.5. Our prediction: No bet.
ESPN’s injury report: Mavericks, Dereck Lively II (Day-To-Day, foot), Jett Howard (Day-To-Day, illness), Santi Aldama (Day-To-Day, knee), Tarik Biberovic (Day-To-Day, heel); Rockets, nobody listed.
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers, Wed Oct 21, 10:00 p.m. ET
| Position | Warriors | Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Stephen Curry (Day-To-Day) | Luka Doncic |
| Shooting guard | Brandin Podziemski (Day-To-Day) | Austin Reaves |
| Small forward | Yaxel Lendeborg | Quentin Grimes |
| Power forward | Gui Santos | Jake LaRavia |
| Center | Draymond Green | Walker Kessler |
The game is at crypto.com Arena. DraftKings has Lakers -5.5 and a total of 234.5. Our prediction: No bet.
ESPN’s injury report: Warriors, Jimmy Butler III (Out, knee), Kristaps Porzingis (Out, undisclosed), Moses Moody (Out, knee), Brandin Podziemski (Day-To-Day, back), Charles Bassey (Day-To-Day, knee), Stephen Curry (Day-To-Day, ankle); Lakers, Adou Thiero (Day-To-Day, undisclosed), Bronny James (Day-To-Day, illness), Cameron Carr (Day-To-Day, undisclosed), Collin Sexton (Day-To-Day, lower leg), Jarred Vanderbilt (Day-To-Day, undisclosed).
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers, Wed Oct 21, 10:00 p.m. ET
| Position | Suns | Trail Blazers |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Devin Booker | Damian Lillard |
| Shooting guard | Jalen Green | Ja Morant |
| Small forward | Dillon Brooks | Toumani Camara |
| Power forward | Miles Bridges | Deni Avdija |
| Center | Oso Ighodaro (Day-To-Day) | Donovan Clingan |
The game is at Moda Center. DraftKings has Trail Blazers -3.5 and a total of 232.5. Our prediction: Suns +140.
ESPN’s injury report: Suns, Mark Williams (Out, shoulder), Luke Kennard (Day-To-Day, knee), Oso Ighodaro (Day-To-Day, hip); Trail Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe (Out, knee), Chris Youngblood (Day-To-Day, calf), Jrue Holiday (Day-To-Day, hand), Micah Potter (Day-To-Day, illness).
Sacramento Kings at LA Clippers, Wed Oct 21, 10:30 p.m. ET
| Position | Kings | Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Point guard | Darius Acuff Jr. | Darius Garland |
| Shooting guard | Zach LaVine | Keaton Wagler |
| Small forward | De’Andre Hunter | Derrick Jones Jr. |
| Power forward | Keegan Murray | Rui Hachimura |
| Center | Domantas Sabonis | Isaiah Jackson |
The game is at Intuit Dome. DraftKings has Clippers -4.5 and a total of 228.5. Our prediction: Clippers -180.
ESPN’s injury report: Kings, Ben Simmons (Out, achilles), Dylan Cardwell (Out, calf), Maxime Raynaud (Out, knee), Malik Monk (Day-To-Day, ankle); Clippers, Bradley Beal (Out, knee), Brandon Ingram (Out, achilles), Jordan Miller (Out, shoulder), Max Strus (Out, foot), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Out, foot).
Where these lineups come from
The starters are the first name at each position on each team’s ESPN depth chart, and every one was checked against the team’s 2026-27 ESPN roster. Statuses and injuries are ESPN’s NBA injury report; spreads and totals are DraftKings’ from ESPN’s odds feed; all were read at 3:56 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, October 20. A projected starter is not a prop pick: prices on points, rebounds and assists are on the NBA player props page, the first basket board is on the NBA first basket odds page, and every game has its prediction on the NBA predictions hub.