Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez out indefinitely after surgery

A new blow for Milwaukee Bucks. Brook Lopez underwent surgery on his back on Thursday and faces an unspecified time out on the sidelines. The 33-year-old center has only played a part in one game this season - the first, against Brooklyn Nets: he played 28:10, ending on 8 points (2/4 in three pointers) and 5 rebounds.

Since the day he picked up his championship ring, Lopez has missed 22 games. Now he is set to miss a longer stretch on the sidelines as he begins his rehabilitation. Doctors had hoped that a non-evasive course of treatment might do the trick but that proved not to be the case. “We’re not gonna put a timeline on it but we’re also not gonna say he’s not gonna play this season. We feel good about the surgery today and he'll begin his rehab and do everything he can to put himself in a position to play for us,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. 

Bucks' casualty list

Milwaukee have a lot of problems between injuries and positive coronavirus cases during this first part of the season. Khris Middleton has missed eight games and Jrue Holiday, five. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second game of the campaign in Toronto and Donte DiVincenzo has yet to appear.

And now Brook, a key performer for Bucks due to his incredible transformation from a classic No.5 to a versatile center who lurks around the perimeter line. It's a position which allows Antetokounmpo to exploit the central lane without any lind of obstruction due to Brook's physical presence.

Cousins signed

After realising that Lopez will be out for some time, the Bucks found a solution in DeMarcus Cousins. The center, who was a free agent, will cover for Brook until the end of the season. He made his debut in Wednesday's game against Charlotte Hornets. He played 15 minutes and tallied 7 points and 4 rebounds… although he wasn't involved in Friday's 97-93 defeat to Toronto Raptors.