Brook Lopez set to return after being sidelined since opening night / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

After being sidelined ever since the opening night of the 2021-2022 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez is set to come back to the basketball court. According to Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN, Lopez will return to the lineup against the Utah Jazz on Monday.

Brook Lopez

MIN:28.17PTS:8 (33.33%)REB:5As:0ST:1BL:3TO:0GM:1ProfileNBA2021/2022

After suffering a back injury on the opening night of the season against the Brooklyn Nets, Lopez has missed every game ever since. The center underwent back surgery three months ago and reports on his progress have been sparse. Now, though, it appears Lopez is ready to go and contribute to Milwaukee's upcoming title defense.

According to Sam Quinn from CBS Sports, the Bucks defense has fallen to no. 13 in the league without Lopez as the primary rim protector. The Bucks even traded away Donte DiVincenzo before the deadline to bolster the frontcourt with Serge Ibaka. The Congolese-Spanish center has mostly failed to match the expectations set by Lopez in the season before.

Lopez averaged 12.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks for the team last season, and was instrumental in capturing the franchise's first NBA title since 1971. The 33-year-old was named to an All-Defensive Second Team two years ago, and to his lone All-Star appearance in 2013.

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