If you’re checking the lineups for nba tonight, you’ve probably noticed something feels off. It’s January 17, 2026, and the grind of the season is officially here. This is the part of the year where the "questionable" tag becomes a permanent resident on the injury report. Basically, what you see at noon is rarely what you get at tip-off.
Teams are resting stars, young guys are getting "phantom" starts, and the betting lines are moving like crazy. Honestly, it’s a mess for fantasy players, but it’s a goldmine if you know which rotations are actually stable.
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The Big Story: Stars on the Sideline
The biggest news hitting the wire today involves the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. These aren’t just minor scratches. We are talking about franchise-altering absences that completely flip how these teams are going to play tonight.
Jayson Tatum is out. That’s the headline. He’s dealing with a right Achilles repair recovery that has kept him sidelined, and it’s shifted the entire burden onto Jaylen Brown for the matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. If you're looking for the Celtics' starting five, expect to see Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis (if his tendinitis allows). Without Tatum, the Celtics’ offensive flow becomes way more predictable. They’re basically just hunting mismatches for Brown all night.
Then you have the Knicks. Jalen Brunson is currently listed as a game-time decision with an ankle issue. If he sits, the lineups for nba tonight at Madison Square Garden look very different against the Phoenix Suns. Miles McBride likely slides into that starting spot. The drop-off in playmaking is massive, even with Karl-Anthony Towns down low to anchor the post.
Predicted Starters and Rotation Shifts
Let’s get into the weeds of the Saturday slate. We have nine games tonight. Some of these are straightforward, but others are total guessing games until the 6:30 p.m. ET injury report drop.
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks (5:00 PM ET)
Dallas is favored by about 4 points, but their lineup is a bit of a revolving door. Cooper Flagg—the rookie sensation who’s been living up to every bit of the hype—is expected to be out with a left ankle sprain. That is a massive blow for the Mavs' defensive versatility.
- Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic (Questionable - Groin), Kyrie Irving (Out - ACL recovery), P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford.
- Utah Jazz: They are missing Lauri Markkanen (Illness) and Walker Kessler (Shoulder). Expect to see John Collins and Keyonte George carrying the load here.
Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks (7:30 PM ET)
This is the game of the night. Even with the injuries, the star power is ridiculous. Kevin Durant is fresh off a 39-point masterclass against the Wolves yesterday, so watch his legs. At 37, back-to-backs are the enemy.
- Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal (Out), Kevin Durant, Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkic.
- New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson (GTD), Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks (7:30 PM ET)
Atlanta is catching a huge break with Tatum being out. However, the Hawks have their own issues. Trae Young is dealing with a right knee MCL sprain. Without Trae, the Hawks' offense often looks like a car with no steering wheel. Dyson Daniels has been stepping up, but he's also banged up with an ankle sprain.
Why the Injury Report is Lying to You
You’ve seen it before. A player is "Probable" at 10:00 a.m. and "Out" by 5:00 p.m. In 2026, the NBA’s transparency rules are stricter, but teams have gotten better at "load management" gamesmanship.
Take the Minnesota Timberwolves, for example. Anthony Edwards is officially "Out" for maintenance on his right foot. He’s the engine of that team. When he’s gone, the ball starts sticking in Julius Randle’s hands. If you’re tracking lineups for nba tonight, you have to account for the "usage vacuum."
When a star sits, 20-25 shots have to go somewhere. In Minnesota, those shots are going to Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid. In Memphis—where Ja Morant is out with a calf contusion—the offense basically becomes "The Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane Show." It’s not always pretty, but it’s high-volume.
Betting and Fantasy Strategy for the Saturday Slate
If you are playing DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) tonight, you have to find value in the chaos. The best value almost always comes from the "replacement starters."
- Look at the Pacers: With Bennedict Mathurin out indefinitely (thumb) and Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles lingering, Andrew Nembhard is the guy. He’s essentially the floor general by default.
- The Lakers Situation: Luka Doncic is technically on the Lakers now (the 2025 offseason was wild), and he’s questionable with a groin strain. If he’s out, Austin Reaves (also questionable) or Dalton Knecht has to step up.
- The OKC Factor: Isaiah Hartenstein is expected back tonight. His presence in the lineup changes how the Thunder defend the rim. It moves Chet Holmgren back to his natural roaming role. That's a huge shift for their defensive metrics.
Honestly, the lineups for nba tonight are a puzzle. You have to look at who is playing their second game of a back-to-back. The Rockets and the Wolves just went to war last night. Expect some heavy legs in the fourth quarter of those games.
Actionable Steps for NBA Fans Tonight
Don't just look at the names; look at the matchups. A "starting" lineup doesn't mean those players will close the game.
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- Monitor the 30-minute window: The NBA requires teams to submit starting lineups 30 minutes before tip-off. Check social media feeds for beat writers like Shams Charania or Adrian Wojnarowski (who is still the king even in 2026) right at that 7:00 p.m. ET mark.
- Watch the "Questionable" Stars: Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic are the two names that will shift the betting lines by 3 or 4 points depending on their status. If you see the line move suddenly, the news is out.
- Focus on the Raptors: They are playing a lot of young guys like Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji. These guys are playing for their lives in the rotation, so they don't take "nights off" like the established vets might.
The NBA season is a marathon, and tonight is just one mile. But if you’re trying to win your fantasy league or just enjoy the games, knowing exactly who is stepping onto the hardwood is the only way to stay ahead of the curve. Keep an eye on those late scratches; they happen more often than you'd think.
Final Tip: Verify the lineups for nba tonight specifically for the late-night West Coast games (Lakers vs. Blazers and Wizards vs. Nuggets) about an hour after the East Coast games start. Coaches like to wait and see how the early games shake out before making their final call on resting vets.
Stay sharp, watch the injury wire, and enjoy the hoops.