Lopez’s foot remains healthy but new issues plague the oft-injured center.

A MRI Sunday revealed that Brook Lopez suffered a lower-back strain and is expected to miss at least a week. The team ruled Lopez out for Monday’s game against the Cavaliers and other scheduled contests versus the Bulls, Hornets and 76ers.

The injury occurred prior to Sunday’s scheduled practice but few details of the injury are known at this time. Previously, Lopez missed the first two games of the season with complications to his surgically-repaired foot, the same foot that caused Lopez to miss 136 games since 2011-2012.

The timing of the injury may cause particular despair for Lopez who seemed to be turning the corner after early season struggles. Over the past three games, Lopez averaged 19.7 points, 10.3 board and 1.7 blocks.

Nets big men are no strangers to back issues. Last year, Nets forward Kevin Garnett missed 19 consecutive games with back issues. Garnett told media today:

“The back is a very, very detailed injury, very frustrating for myself,” Garnett said. “I was very frustrated with the injury. I learned a lot, just dealing with the body and not taking things for granted. So hopefully Brook is OK, not just for basketball but for his own personal health.”

In addition to Lopez, Joe Johnson missed practice with a stomach virus, and Andrei Kirilenko, who also suffered back issues last year, missed practice for personal reasons.

The Nets play tomorrow with more royalty than King James expected to be in attendance: Prince William and Princess Kate plan to catch the game at Barclays Center.

Brook Lopez sidelined at least a week with lower-back strain — Newsday