Everything changes at 5:30 PM. If you're looking at nba tonight starting lineups during your lunch break, you're basically guessing. By the time the first whistle blows at Gainbridge Fieldhouse or Scotiabank Arena, half the "confirmed" news has usually flipped. Tonight is a weird one. We’ve got six games on the slate for Friday, January 16, 2026, and the injury reports look like a CVS receipt.
Managing a fantasy roster or placing a bet based on morning data is a recipe for a headache. Between late-scratched stars and G-League call-ups getting "emergency" starts, the league is in a state of flux. Honestly, the way rotations are handled these days, even the coaches sometimes seem like they're making it up ten minutes before tip-off.
The Chaos in the Eastern Conference
Take the Indiana Pacers. They’re hosting the Pelicans tonight, and their backcourt is a ghost town. Tyrese Haliburton is still out recovering from surgery, and now Bennedict Mathurin is sidelined with that thumb sprain. It’s brutal. Andrew Nembhard is basically the last man standing at point guard. You’ve got Jay Huff starting at center because Isaiah Jackson is in concussion protocol.
The Pelicans aren't doing much better. No Dejounte Murray. No Herb Jones. They are relying heavily on Trey Murphy III to carry the scoring load, which he’s actually doing—averaging over 31 points this month. It’s one of those games where the nba tonight starting lineups look more like a Summer League roster than a mid-season clash.
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Down in Philly, the 76ers are playing the "will they, won't they" game with Joel Embiid and Paul George. They’re both listed as probable with knee management, but with the Sixers, "probable" is a suggestion, not a promise. If they both suit up, the Cavs are in for a long night, especially since Cleveland is missing Darius Garland and Max Strus. Donovan Mitchell is basically going to have to take 40 shots.
Predicting the West Coast Rotations
The late games are where things get really squirrelly. The Houston Rockets are hosting Minnesota, and the big question is Alperen Sengun’s matchup against Rudy Gobert. But look closer at the wings. Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith are both "game-time decisions." If they sit, the Rockets' defense loses its teeth.
In Sacramento, the Wizards are coming to town without Trae Young. Yes, Trae is out, leaving Bub Carrington to run the show. The Kings have their own drama; Domantas Sabonis is dealing with a nagging issue, and Keegan Murray is already ruled out. If Sabonis doesn't go, the Kings' offense, which usually hums through his high-post passing, is going to look stagnant and clunky.
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- Check the 30-minute window. NBA teams must submit their official lineups 30 minutes before tip. That is the only time the data is "real."
- Watch the G-League movement. Teams like the Clippers and Raptors are currently leaning on two-way players like Kobe Sanders and Jamal Shead. These guys aren't household names, but they’re getting 25+ minutes tonight.
- Ignore the "Probable" tag on veterans. On the second night of a back-to-back or during a heavy travel week, "probable" for a guy over 30 years old is often a coin flip.
Why Accuracy Matters for the 1/16 Slate
The Toronto-Clippers game is a perfect example of why you can't trust static lists. The Raptors have Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett out. The Clippers are missing Kawhi Leonard (shocker, right?) and Bradley Beal. This leaves James Harden to lead a group of guys like Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller. If you aren't tracking these specific pivots in the nba tonight starting lineups, you’re missing the fact that James Harden’s usage rate tonight will likely be astronomical.
It isn't just about who starts; it’s about who finishes. Many "starters" are only playing the first six minutes of each half before the bench takes over. Especially for teams like the Wizards or Pacers who are struggling in the standings, they’re more interested in seeing what their young guys can do than winning a meaningless January game.
The Real Expected Lineups (As of Now)
New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers
- NOP: Jeremiah Fears, Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen
- IND: Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, Pascal Siakam, Jay Huff
Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers
- CLE: Donovan Mitchell, Craig Porter Jr., Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
- PHI: Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, Dominick Barlow, Joel Embiid
Washington Wizards at Sacramento Kings
- WAS: Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Justin Champagnie, Kyshawn George, Jonas Valanciunas (Projected)
- SAC: Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Zach Collins, Alex Len (Pending Sabonis)
Actionable Steps for Tonight
Stop refreshing the same old sports news sites that haven't updated since 9:00 AM. If you want the actual edge, follow the beat reporters on social media—they are the ones standing outside the locker rooms hearing the news first.
Check the official NBA Injury Report (the "PDF" version) which is updated hourly. If a player moves from "Questionable" to "Doubtful," he’s not playing. Period. Also, keep an eye on the "Starting 5" tweets from official team accounts; they usually drop these about 20 minutes before the game starts.
For those of you playing daily fantasy, look for value in the Pacers' backcourt. With so many injuries, someone like Andrew Nembhard or even Johnny Furphy is going to fall into 35 minutes of playing time just by default. That's where the real profit is found—not in the stars, but in the bench players forced into the spotlight by a crumbling roster.