Watch CBS News

Brook Lopez Undergoes Surgery, Will Miss 6-8 Weeks

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (WFAN/AP) — New Jersey Nets leading scorer Brook Lopez has had surgery to repair a non-displaced stress fracture in his the right foot.

The injury is a major blow to the Nets' plans as the season gets underway.  Lopez has been a durable player throughout his career and did not miss a game in his first three seasons.  He averaged 20.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 82 games last season.

Nets General Manager Billy King expects Lopez to play in a game in six to eight weeks. He was hurt in a preseason game against the Knicks on Wednesday.

Dr. Martin O'Malley, a foot specialist, and team orthopedist Dr. Riley Williams III inserted a screw into the fifth metatarsal of Lopez's foot in an operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

O'Malley said Lopez will start his rehabilitation in two weeks.  The Nets acquired Jazz big-man Mehmet Okur for a second round pick to fill the void in Lopez's absence.  Okur has averaged 13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists throughout his career.

Can the Nets survive without Lopez during this period? Sound off below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.