BROOK Lopez

In 2025-26, Lopez played in 75 games for the Clippers, averaging 21.8 minutes, 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.2 blocks, with 0.8 turnovers a game. He shot 42.8 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three and 75.7 percent from the foul line, good for a 55.2 true shooting percentage. His usage rate sat at 17.1 percent, and his plus-minus for the season was 0.6. Those numbers describe a reliable floor-spacing center who protected the rim without needing a heavy offensive workload.

Three games into the new season, Lopez has seen reduced minutes. On October 4 against Golden State, a win, he played 7.1 minutes with 1 point and 3 rebounds, plus-minus of 5.0. On October 10 against Toronto, a loss, he logged 15.2 minutes with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist, but a minus-13.0 plus-minus. On October 14 against Denver, a win, he played 8.3 minutes with 9 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, plus-minus of 8.0. The minutes are well below his 21.8 average from last season, suggesting a lighter early-season role.

Lopez is not on the injury report right now. There is no injury history to note for him. At 38 and in his 18th season, staying off the injury report through the start of the year matters for a center whose value depends on being available for specific defensive matchups. Nothing in his recent game log points to any physical issue limiting him; the low minute totals in his first three outings look like a role decision rather than a health concern.

There are no rumors circulating about Lopez right now. The question for Clippers watchers is whether his minutes climb back toward last season's 21.8-per-game pace as the season progresses, or whether the Denver, Toronto and Golden State outings set the template for a smaller role in year 18. His shooting touch from distance, a 36.0 percent clip from three last season, remains part of his value whenever he is on the floor.