The Los Angeles Lakers will be without their starting center for at least three weeks.
Brook Lopez injured his ankle in the 2nd quarter of the Lakers 116-114 overtime loss to the Warriors on Kobe double jersey retirement night and X-rays showed that he has a moderate sprain in his right ankle.
Here is a release from the Lakers:
“Brook Lopez, who was injured in the second quarter of last night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, had X-rays last night and an MRI today. Results of the X-rays were negative and the MRI confirmed a moderate ankle sprain in his right ankle. Lopez will be reevaluated in three weeks.”
The Lakers don’t have a ton in the way of depth or youth at the traditional center position behind Lopez with veteran Andrew Bogut and unproven young center Ivica Zubac. This could lead to more opportunity and minutes for Julius Randle who could be playing some minutes at the five in Lopez’s absence or even at the four alongside Larry Nance Jr. in a small ball lineup at the five for stretches.
Lopez has had a lot of foot related issues in the past, but this doesn’t appear to be too serious and he will likely return to his normal role and workload once he returns.
He is averaging 12.8 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Lakers this season.
