Bucks center Brook Lopez will return to action on Monday after missing more than four months due to a back injury, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Lopez, who underwent back surgery on December 2, last played on opening night. He’ll make his return as Milwaukee gears up to defend its first title since 1971.
The Bucks have 14 games left on their schedule and have gone 42-26 despite missing Lopez, good for the second-best record in the East. Lopez played an integral part of the team’s run last season, averaging 12.3 points, five rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 70 starts.
Lopez’s return also fortifies the club’s bench. Assuming he reclaims his starting role, big man Bobby Portis will likely play off the bench, allowing Milwaukee to have a 15.5 PPG scorer for insurance.
As Wojnarowski notes, the Bucks have fallen outside of the league’s top 10 teams in defensive efficiency. Lopez’s absence is a major reason for this, as Milwaukee is known to play a drop coverage and utilize his rim-protecting skills.
The Bucks visit the Jazz on Monday, the Kings on Wednesday and the Timberwolves on Saturday. After that, the team returns to Milwaukee for a two-game homestand.
Badda bing!!!
Good news for Bucks. Do not dismiss them. They are the team to beat.
Big news for the Bucks. I was sure he’d be out for the season after they acquired Serge. I think Miami and Milwaukee are the teams to beat out East. Small game James and the Sixers definitely aren’t it.
If you like him so much why don’t you marry him? Sheesh…
Let’s hope he is fully healthy
Splash Mountain fittin’ to spray