New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez underwent “successful” surgery today to repair a non-displaced stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the right foot, according to Nets general manager Billy King.
The surgery, performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan by foot specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley and Nets team orthopedist Dr. Riley Williams III, involved the insertion of a screw in Lopez’s foot.
“A single screw was inserted into the bone to stabilize the fracture and speed up the healing process,” said Dr. O’Malley. “He was placed in a boot and will walk with the aid of crutches. Brook will begin his rehab in two weeks.”
Lopez is expected to return to game action in 6-8 weeks.
Lopez suffered the injury Wednesday in the team’s preseason finale against the New York Knicks. To ease the loss of Lopez, the Nets Thursday acquired veteran center Mehmet Okur from Utah.
New Jersey had been trying to acquire center Dwight Howard from Orlando, with Lopez viewed as a key piece of any trade package New Jersey could offer.