Brook Lopez out at least a week with lower back strain

More like the 'lyn Nets, right? You know, because they're missing Brook? Sorry.

What we're saying is: Brook Lopez is going to miss at least four games for the Brooklyn Nets due to a lower back strain that was revealed by an MRI on Sunday. Lopez will be re-evaluated in a week, missing a busy slate for the Nets that sees them host Cleveland, visit Chicago, host Philadelphia and visit Charlotte.

Lopez's absence could also continue past that point, as the one-week timetable is simply for another evaluation. The team is unclear how Lopez originally hurt his back.

With the 7-foot Lopez on the shelf, the Nets find themselves in a similar situation to 2013-14, when Lopez missed 65 games and forced the team to go with length over size in the lineup. That could mean Kevin Garnett once again sliding to center with Mirza Teletovic manning power forward, but Mason Plumlee stands to see extended run, too.

The interior scoring Lopez provides will be missed, as the 26-year-old is averaging 16.1 points and 6.2 rebounds and is capable of more when his field goal percentage edges upward from its current 48.8 percent perch. This season, the Nets have actually been slightly worse with Lopez on the floor due to some issues at the defensive end, but his skillset remains tough to replace and re-work an offense without.