Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez will be sidelined for 10 to 14 days due to a soft tissue damage in his surgically repaired right foot. The team confirmed Thursday that their All-Star Center did not fracture his foot, referring to the injury as a "mild right midfoot sprain." If the injury requires Lopez to sit out two weeks, though, then he could miss the Nets season opener versus the Boston Celtics on Oct. 29.
Here is a statement from Nets Medical Director Dr. Riley Williams III, per NBA.com:
Brook Lopez experienced right foot soreness after being stepped on during the pre-season game against the Kings Wednesday night. X-ray and CT scan studies done Thursday in New York reveal no fractures or bone injuries. Brook has been diagnosed with a mild midfoot sprain and is likely to be out for approximately 10-14 days.
The Nets reported that Lopez sprained his foot in the first quarter of the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Prior to the injury, Lopez was impressive in the entire quarter, bullying his way through the basket, scoring 14 points along with three rebounds and two blocks according to a report by New York Post. In his three preseason games with the Nets, Lopez averaged 18 points, 5.6 rebounds and 54.2 percent shooting in 23.3 minutes per game.
This is not the first time Lopez suffered an injury. He only managed to play 17 games last season after suffering a season-ending injury to his right foot on Dec. 20 in Philadelphia.
"Lopez, 26, underwent two procedures on his right foot on Jan. 4, when he had surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal and a first metatarsal osteotomy, in which another bone was repositioned in his foot to unload and protect the injured area. On March 3, Lopez had surgery to repair a torn tendon and tighten lateral ligaments in his left ankle. Lopez previously fractured the same fifth metatarsal in December 2011, and later had a screw replaced in it this past offseason," reports Ohm Youngmisuk ofESPN NewYork.
Lopez's health will be a vital aspect to the Nets season. If he can manage to stay injury free the entire season along with star point guard Deron Williams, the Nets are surely one of the teams that no one wants to face come playoff time.
Join the Conversation