The Brooklyn Nets’ disappointing start to the season hit a low point with the loss of All-Star center Brook Lopez for the season due to a broken foot, league sources confirmed Saturday.
The Nets confirmed Saturday that Lopez broke his surgically repaired right foot, which he fractured in 2011 and later had a screw replaced in.
Lopez officially has been diagnosed with a fractured fifth metatarsal of his right foot. The Nets announced in a statement that Lopez’s status will be updated next week after a consultation with team physicians.
The injury was earlier reported by Comcast SportsNet New England.
The 7-foot center suffered the injury sometime in the second half Friday night, possibly in the third quarter, during the Nets’ overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, a league source said.
Lopez gutted his way through the injury, playing 44 minutes while making 9-of-19 shots and finishing with 22 points and seven rebounds. The Nets discovered the bad news after the game when Lopez underwent X-rays on his troublesome foot.
The Nets (9-17) have been ravaged by injuries in this slow start to the season despite coming in with championship expectations.
They’ve also lost point guard Deron Williams, swingman Paul Pierce, and key bench players Andrei Kirilenko and Jason Terry to injuries at various points this season.
The Lopez season-ending injury, though, would appear to be the biggest blow for the Nets. Lopez was averaging 20.7 points and six rebounds.
Lopez gave rookie coach Jason Kidd an advantage over several other teams inside the paint with a young, high-scoring big man.
The Nets now will likely start Kevin Garnett at center and Andray Blatche will see an increase in minutes.