Brook Lopez News: Bench role Friday

Updated on January 16, 2026 at 7:04pm

Lopez is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Raptors, NBA writer Justin Russo reports.

The veteran center drew a spot start Wednesday with Ivica Zubac (ankle) sidelined, but Lopez will return to a reserve role now that Zubac is healthy. In his last five games off the bench, Lopez has averaged 3.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in 16.8 minutes per contest.