NBA

Nets’ Lopez likely out for season

Brook Lopez suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot during Friday’s 121-120 loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia, the Nets announced Saturday morning.

It is the same injury Lopez suffered twice during the 2011-12 lockout shortened season. In May, a screw in the problematic foot that had become bent was replaced in another surgical procedure.

The injury will likely cost Lopez the rest of the season, though the Nets said they are waiting to put an official timetable on his recovery until after they are able to consult with their team physicians.

Lopez was having a terrific season, averaging 20.7 points on 56.3 percent shooting through 17 games, on the heels of making his first All-Star appearance last season. He played 44 minutes – scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds – in Friday’s loss after seemingly injuring his foot at some point during the second half.

When Lopez was fouled by Evan Turner with 4:53 remaining in the fourth quarter, he winced and rubbed his right foot after getting tangled up with Thaddeus Young on the way down to the ground, but never came out of the game, playing the rest of regulation and all of overtime.

It’s just the latest piece of bad news for the Nets in a season full of them. They are now 9-17 after losing to Washington at home Wednesday and in Philadelphia, heading into a stretch in which they face the Pacers twice, Spurs and Thunder in their next six games.

With Lopez out, the Nets will likely slide Kevin Garnett over to center and insert Andray Blatche into the starting lineup – or at least give him a much more significant role than he already had.

Lopez’s injury was first reported by Comcast SportsNet New England.