Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking 10 NBA stars returning from injury by playoff importance

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2021 in New York City. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 105-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2021 in New York City. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 105-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 12
Next
NBA, Injury
Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and center Brook Lopez (11) against the Phoenix Suns during game six of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA star injury returns: No. 8 – Brook Lopez

One of the keys to the Milwaukee Bucks’ success over the past few seasons has been the play of Brook Lopez at center. He’s a truly unique player given his combination of floor-spacing ability and truly elite rim protection. Without Lopez, they almost certainly don’t win the championship last season.

Lopez has missed all of this year with a back injury, and the Bucks have been a notch worse than they were the last couple of years. They were forced to flip the dynamic-but-struggling guard Donte DiVincenzo at the trade deadline for creaky big Serge Ibaka in case Lopez wasn’t able to make it back for the playoffs.

Finally, there is hope at the end of the tunnel. Lopez has been more involved at practice recently, and just this past week participated in 5-on-5 practices. Head coach Mike Budenholzer told the media Saturday night “I would say he’s getting close.” Then Sunday night, it was reported that Lopez is expected to make his season debut on Monday night against the Utah Jazz.

Lopez returning gives the Bucks yet another boost, pushing them from the pack of title contenders into the top tier. If he can be available and most of his previous self, the Bucks should likely be the favorites to emerge from the Eastern Conference and defend their title. There are other more important players on the Bucks, but Lopez is nearly as indispensable as Jrue Holiday or Khris Middleton.