NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Nets have decided to shut down Brook Lopez for the rest of the season after an injury-marred campaign in which he played in five games.
Nets general manager Billy King announced before Friday’s game against the Washington Wizards that the third-year player won’t be used for the final 10 games because it’s not worth the risk with the 24-year-old eligible to become a free agent after this season.
Lopez missed the Nets’ first 32 games after breaking his right foot in the preseason. He returned on Feb. 19 and averaged 19.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in five games before spraining his right ankle. He missed 10 games with that injury and the last eight because the ankle injury aggravated his foot again.
