Nets coach Lionel Hollins expects Brook Lopez back for opening day.
“He’s doing fine,” Hollins said about his center. “I think he’ll be ready by opening day. That’s my opinion, talking to him and what the doctors say.”
Lopez has not been cleared for practice yet after suffering a mild midfoot sprain on his right foot, but spent time running on the Nets anti-gravity “AlterG” treadmill during practice, which allows runners to get a workout in while reducing stress pressure on the lower half of their body.
Hollins added that he’d prefer if Lopez could get a practice in before the season starts, but it wasn’t a necessity. “If he’s healthy, he’ll play… I’d prefer (if he practiced), but if he doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.”
Lopez averaged 20.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 17 games prior to his foot injury last season, shooting a career-high 56 percent from the field.
