Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets Starting Lineups and Depth Charts (Nov. 21) | 2025–26 NBA Season

Two of the Western Conference’s top teams are set to square off when the Denver Nuggets meet the Houston Rockets on Friday. The Nuggets currently occupy the second spot with a record of 11-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play following a 125-118 win over the Pelicans. Thanks for the submission! Nikola Jokic continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, leading the league in assists (11. 1) and rebounds (13. 2) while maintaining dominance on the offensive end. He’s seventh in scoring, averaging 29. 1 points per game. He already has nine triple-doubles, more than anyone else this season. 70% Win (110-25-1) 70% Win (110-25-1) 70% Win (110-25-1) Unlock Free tips from our Experts Get Picks Now As for the Rockets, they have been red-hot as of late, winning five straight games. They sit one spot behind Denver, holding a record of 10-3 overall and 3-2 in the Western Conference after earning a 114-104 road win against Cleveland. Kevin Durant led the team in scoring, averaging 25. 5 points, 4. 5 rebounds and 3. 4 assists. Perhaps the biggest storyline outside Durant has been Alperen Sengun’s emergence. The 6-foot-11 big man is averaging 23. 4 points, 10. 4 rebounds and 7. 4 assists on an impressive 48. 9% shooting from the field and 44. 7% from beyond the arc. This will be the first meeting between the two conference rivals this season. They faced off three times last season, with the Nuggets winning the series 2-1. Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets Starting Lineups and Depth Charts Denver Nuggets Starting Lineups and Depth Chart David Adelman’s men have taken a few hits in recent weeks. Christian Braun (ankle) and Julian Strawther (lower-back pain) are ruled out. Aaron Gordon, who missed the last game due to a hamstring injury, is listed as probable. Barring any late setback, he will be available. Looking further ahead, the Nuggets are at full strength. Cameron Johnson, Peyton Johnson, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon expected to start in what promises to be a formidable lineup. Houston Rockets Starting Lineups and Depth Chart The Rockets have their fair share of injuries heading into the matchup. Steven Adams is a significant doubt with an ankle injury. He’s listed as questionable, and the big man is expected to undergo a late medical test before tipoff. Jabari Smith Jr. is another doubt with a knee injury. The forward has been battling knee issues for some time but has played in all games this season. He is likely to suit up. Ime Udoka is expected to go with Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson in the starting lineup.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/denver-nuggets-vs-houston-rockets-starting-lineups-depth-charts-nov-21-2025-26-nba-season

Hurricanes poised to get key players back for Virginia Tech game

The No. 13 Hurricanes have been hit hard by the injury bug in recent weeks, but some players may get back on the field when UM travels to play Virginia Tech this weekend. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. was not on Thursday’s injury report, cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. is probable and defensive tackle David Blay Jr. is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. However, linebacker Kellen Wiley Jr. was listed as out. Fletcher has missed UM’s previous two games, and Frederique has missed the previous three games. Blay suffered an injury against Syracuse and did not play last week. Additionally, wide receiver CJ Daniels, who has missed the last three games, was not listed on the injury report. Daniels was not listed on last week’s game-day injury report, but UM held him out of the game anyway. Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said it was his call to keep Daniels out another week, but he expects him to play Saturday. “I feel great about his availability this week,” Cristobal said. Nickelback Keionte Scott is listed as out for the game, as expected. Cristobal said Monday that he did not think it was likely Scott would return this season. “I don’t know,” Cristobal said. “Like we mentioned, it is a more significant injury. You certainly hope and pray for (him to come back). But it doesn’t look like it’s very likely. But I hate to rule it out completely because you just never know.” The ACC is mandating its football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball teams report which players are available prior to each conference game. Football teams are required to submit an initial report two days before the game, an updated report one day before the game and a game day report no later than two hours before the game starts. Teams “must act in good faith to comply with this policy,” according to the conference. The conference mandates teams announce which players meet certain designations. -Available: Available to play -Probable: likely to play or greater than 50 percent chance to play -Questionable: uncertain to play or less than 50 percent chance to play -Out: will not play or 0 percent chance to play On game day reports, players can be listed as available, “game time decision” or out. Here is the Hurricanes’ initial availability report before facing Virginia Tech on Saturday: OUT -DB Keionte Scott -DE Hayden Lowe -TE Brock Schott -TE Jack Nickel -LB Malik Bryant -WR Tony Johnson -LB Kellen Wiley Jr. QUESTIONABLE -DT David Blay Jr. PROBABLE -DB OJ Frederique Jr.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/11/20/um-vt-injuries/

Bills vs. Texans Inactives Tonight: Who is out for NFL Week 12 TNF showdown?

The Buffalo Bills will lock horns with the Houston Texans in Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Thursday. The game will commence at 8: 15 p. m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Ahead of the Bills-Texans game, here’s a look at the inactive players on both teams. Thanks for the submission! Who are the inactives for the Bills tonight? 70% Win (110-25-1) 70% Win (110-25-1) 70% Win (110-25-1) Unlock Free tips from our Experts Get Picks Now Dalton Kincaid, TE (Hamstring) Mecole Hardman, WR (Calf) Curtis Samuel, WR (Elbow/Neck) The Bills will be without tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring), wideout Mecole Hardman (calf) and wideout Curtis Samuel (elbow/neck) for their clash against the Texans in Week 12. Buffalo has also listed defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (shoulder) as questionable for Thursday night. The Bills (7-3) are second in the AFC East, behind the New England Patriots (9-2). Buffalo beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 44-32 in Week 11 on Sunday and will need to win to remain in the hunt for the divisional title. Who are the inactives for the Texans tonight? Jamal Hill, LB (Hamstring) Jalen Pitre, S (Concussion) C. J. Stroud, QB (Concussion) The Texans will be without linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring), safety Jalen Pitre (concussion) and quarterback C. J. Stroud (concussion) for their clash against the Bills. In Stroud’s absence, Davis Mills will start as Houston’s quarterback. The Texans (5-5) are third in the AFC South and have won two games in a row. Houston will face a stern test against the Bills in Week 12. How to watch the Bills vs. Texans TNF game? TV channel and live stream details for Week 12 matchup The Bills vs. Texans game will not be broadcast on national TV. However, fans can livestream Thursday night’s game on Amazon Prime Video.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/bills-vs-texans-inactives-tonight-who-nfl-week-12-tnf-showdown

Curry out, other stars questionable at Heat as Warriors’ tough schedule marches on

The Warriors will be shorthanded Wednesday night when they face the Heat in Miami on the second night of a Florida back-to-back set. Steph Curry, who led Golden State with 34 points in Tuesday’s loss in Orlando, has been ruled out with an ankle injury that has been lingering since earlier in the Warriors’ road trip in San Antonio. Curry passed Vince Carter for No. 22 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Joining Curry in street clothes for the Miami game are Al Horford (toe injury management), Jonathan Kuminga (knee tendinitis) and De’Anthony Melton (ACL rehab). The Warriors have listed Jimmy Butler as questionable with a back strain, while Draymond Green and Buddy Hield are questionable to play due to illness. Horford played in Tuesday’s game and the Warriors have said he will not play both ends of a back-to-back this season as they aim to keep the 39-year-old healthy for the playoffs. Kuminga has not played since Nov. 12, when the Warriors beat the Spurs in San Antonio and he missed the second half with knee soreness. Butler left a Nov. 4 game against the Suns against Phoenix with back soreness and missed the next night’s game in Sacramento, but has played in each game since. That Nov. 5 game in Sacramento is the lone game this season in which the Warriors have sat all three of their veteran stars Curry, Green and Butler as they try to balance winning with rest for their players above age 35. Wednesday’s game will complete Golden State’s fifth back-to-back set of the season as the Warriors play their 17th game (12 on the road) in 30 days to open the season.
https://www.montereyherald.com/2025/11/19/steph-curry-injury-warriors-heat-schedule/

Cam Jurgens Returns To Eagles Lineup Ahead Of Pivotal Lions Showdown

**Pro Bowl Center Cam Jurgens Set to Return for Eagles’ Clash Against Lions**

Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens will be snapping the football to Jalen Hurts on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, marking his return to the Eagles’ lineup for the first time since suffering a knee injury during Philadelphia’s 28-22 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

In Jurgens’ absence, Brett Toth started at center against the Giants and Packers, with the Eagles’ bye week coming in between those two games.

**Toth Steps Up in Jurgens’ Absence**

This season, Brett Toth has played a vital role, filling in at both left guard and center. Injuries to the Eagles’ formidable offensive line thrust Toth into the starting lineup. Notably, this was Toth’s first time starting at center in his career.

After replacing an injured Landon Dickerson in the first meeting against New York, Toth did an admirable job stepping in for Jurgens—something the veteran center certainly noticed.

> “Brett did a great job,” Jurgens said. “He’s been in the league seven, eight years now. He stepped in. Did a great job. Communication was good. He knows exactly what we’re doing.”

**Jurgens Ready to Return**

After nearly a month on the sidelines, Jurgens is eager to get back on the field. Following Friday’s practice, he spoke to the media about his return.

> “I’m just trying to get better every day, every week,” Jurgens said.

The Eagles will benefit greatly from having Jurgens back as they go up against Detroit’s fierce defensive front, which features standout edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Earlier this week, Hutchinson highlighted the importance of this Lions-Eagles matchup in a conversation with NBC Sports Philadelphia.

**Eagles’ Offensive Line Near Full Strength**

There were concerns earlier in the week regarding the health of Philadelphia’s offensive line. Four out of five starters—Lane Johnson (ankle), Landon Dickerson (quad), Cam Jurgens (knee), and Tyler Steen (oblique)—were all listed as limited participants in Wednesday’s practice.

However, the situation improved as the week progressed. By Friday, every Eagles player on the active roster was a full participant in practice except for reserve center/guard Willie Lampkin. Lampkin, who remains on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries, was a full participant this week but must be activated by Saturday at 4 PM if he’s to play. With his activation window open until November 27th, Lampkin is likely to remain on IR for at least one more week as the Eagles prepare for this pivotal matchup.

**Other Injury Updates**

Several other Eagles also shed their injury designations by Friday, including linebacker Nolan Smith, wide receiver Darius Cooper, cornerback Jakorian Bennett, and long snapper Cal Adomitis. All four were listed on the injury report earlier in the week, but none carry an injury status into Sunday.

**Big Implications as Eagles Host Lions**

Philadelphia will put their three-game winning streak on the line when they host the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field. With Detroit just one game behind in the NFC standings, Sunday’s matchup carries significant playoff seeding implications as the regular season winds down.

Stay tuned for full coverage of Eagles vs. Lions, including injury updates and key storylines throughout the week.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/jurgens-eagles-lineup-lions/

Houston Rockets Injury Report (Nov. 5): Steven Adams and Key Player Face Race to Be Fit for Grizzlies Clash

The Houston Rockets’ renaissance continues on Wednesday as they face the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. The major talking point ahead of the game is the availability of Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams, both carrying questionable tags.

Smith suffered an ankle sprain during the Rockets’ 128-101 win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday. The 22-year-old forward, an instrumental figure in Houston’s recent upturn, tied his career high with four blocked shots, along with 12 points and six rebounds against the Celtics. He missed Monday’s game against the Mavericks, but Tari Eason stepped up impressively to help lessen the blow of his absence.

Smith’s status for the trip to Memphis remains in doubt, but coach Ime Udoke has not yet ruled him out. When asked if Smith could miss more games, the Nigerian-American said, “Doubt it, but we’ll see.”

Steven Adams also faces a late fitness test ahead of the game. Listed as questionable with a hip issue, Adams did play against the Mavericks on Monday. The Rockets’ big man contributed four points, nine rebounds, and two blocks off the bench in that win.

Meanwhile, Dorian Finney-Smith remains sidelined, nursing an ankle injury sustained during the offseason. However, the veteran forward has recently been seen at shootaround, boosting hopes for an earlier return.

### What to Expect: Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies

After losing their first two games of the season, the Rockets have rebounded strongly, winning four straight to improve to 4-2 overall. There’s a growing sense that this could be a highly productive season for Houston, especially after acquiring superstar forward Kevin Durant. Durant is currently leading the team with 25.2 points per game.

While it may take some time for the Rockets to fully click without a true point guard, the foundation is clearly in place for them to flourish.

On the other side, the Grizzlies are going through a rough stretch, having lost their last three games. Tensions between Ja Morant and the coaching staff flared after Friday’s defeat to the Lakers, with their relationship reportedly at an all-time low.

Beyond the internal issues, the roster clearly needs a boost in confidence. Right now, the team looks flat, but a couple of wins could be enough to restore belief among fans.

This matchup presents an intriguing contrast: the Rockets riding a wave of momentum against the struggling Grizzlies looking to regain their form and cohesion. Fans should expect a competitive game at FedExForum as both teams strive to assert themselves early in the season.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-houston-rockets-injury-report-nov-5-steven-adams-key-player-face-race-be-fit-grizzlies-clash

Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs. Grizzlies? Latest injury report

The Los Angeles Lakers’ two-game road trip concludes on Friday with a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, and the team may receive some much-needed reinforcements on the court. On Thursday afternoon, the Lakers listed both Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart as questionable on the injury report for the game.

Friday’s game will mark the Lakers’ first NBA Cup game of the season. As of Friday morning, the NBA’s official injury report still listed Doncic and Smart as questionable.

In Doncic’s case, he has been dealing with two injuries—a finger injury and a leg injury—that have kept him out of the Lakers’ last three games. He seemingly suffered a groin injury during the season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors but initially brushed it off as a non-issue following the game.

Despite the injury concern, Doncic was able to play during the team’s win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24, where he poured in a season-high 49 points. The full extent of his injuries was revealed prior to the Lakers’ game against the Sacramento Kings last Sunday.

Without Doncic in the lineup, the Lakers have gone 2-1. Austin Reaves has stepped up in a big way during this stretch, scoring a career-high 51 points in the win against the Kings. He followed that performance with 41 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and then capped it off with a game-winning shot against the Wolves on Wednesday.

While the Lakers have remained competitive and played well without Doncic, having the All-Star guard back would provide a significant boost, especially for a team that has been short on ball-handlers lately. LeBron James has yet to make his season debut due to a nerve injury, and both Marcus Smart (quad) and Gabe Vincent (ankle) have been sidelined since Sunday’s game against the Kings.

In the two games Doncic has played this season, he has averaged an impressive 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His shooting splits stand at 62% from the field, 31.8% from three-point range, and 79.3% from the free-throw line.

The Lakers will be hoping that both Doncic and Smart can take the court on Friday to strengthen their chances against the Memphis Grizzlies as their road trip comes to a close.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-luka-doncic-playing-grizzlies-latest-injury-report

Eagles’ Saquon Barkley limps off to blue tent with apparent injury vs. Giants

The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold a commanding 38-13 lead over the New York Giants late in the fourth quarter. However, the game took a concerning turn as Eagles running back Saquon Barkley appeared to suffer an injury scare during the contest.

According to Tim McManus of ESPN, the 28-year-old running back limped off the field and headed to the blue medical tent following one of his long runs against the Giants. McManus reported, “Saquon Barkley to the medical tent. He started limping after that long run down the right side.”

Fortunately, Barkley was able to return from the medical tent in time to witness teammate Tank Bigsby’s impressive 29-yard run. He was seen jumping up and down in celebration and was standing with the substitutes, helmet in hand.

Despite Barkley’s visible enthusiasm, the Eagles have ruled him questionable to return due to a groin injury, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Given the substantial lead late in the game, it seems unlikely that Barkley will take the field again in this contest.

As Pelissero reported, “Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is questionable to return with a groin injury.” Fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for the talented running back as the season progresses.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-news-saquon-barkley-limps-off-blue-tent-apparent-injury-giants

Cowboys will have LT Tyler Guyton, but S Juanyeh Thomas is inactive

The Cowboys will have left tackle Tyler Guyton available, despite being questionable earlier in the week due to a glute injury that limited him on Thursday and Friday. He is not listed among the team’s inactives for the game.

Edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland is also active after being questionable with an ankle injury.

The Cowboys’ inactives include linebacker Jack Sanborn (groin), safety Juanyeh Thomas (migraines), safety Donovan Wilson (elbow/shoulder), offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius (knees), wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, and defensive tackle Jay Toia.

On the Broncos’ side, only two players appeared on the injury report this week, and none carried an injury designation. All of their inactives are healthy scratches.

The Broncos’ inactives for the game are quarterback Sam Ehlinger, running back Jaleel McLaughlin, safety J.T. Gray, outside linebacker Que Robinson, and defensive linemen Sai’vion Jones.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cowboys-will-have-lt-tyler-guyton-but-s-juanyeh-thomas-is-inactive

Raiders’ Maxx Crosby leaves game after low block by Chiefs’ Noah Gray

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby left late in the first half of their game against Kansas City after being blocked low by Chiefs tight end Noah Gray. The hit sent the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end limping off the field.

Crosby, who already has four sacks this season, had been limited in practice this week due to a back injury. He entered the game against the AFC West rival Chiefs leading the league with 10 tackles for loss.

The Raiders were also playing without All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who had been doubtful with a knee injury, and wide receiver Jacobi Meyers, who had been questionable with knee and toe injuries. Both were inactive against Kansas City.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs, missing left tackle Josh Simmons for a second straight game due to personal issues, faced further depletion along the offensive line. Right guard Trey Smith left in the first half with a back injury, which forced Mike Caliendo—who played much of last season because of injuries—into the lineup against the Raiders.
https://wtop.com/nfl/2025/10/raiders-maxx-crosby-leaves-game-after-low-block-by-chiefs-noah-gray/