Brook

Lopez

With Brook Lopez rendered ineffective, head coach Doc Rivers turned to Portis to take on more minutes at center. Lopez only played 16 minutes after playing 21 minutes in Game 1, while Portis went from playing 25 minutes in Game 1 to playing 31 minutes on Tuesday. Though it didn’t change the result of this game, things went well with Portis on the floor. With Game 3 coming on Friday, we’ll see if this was a rotational adjustment that Rivers will continue to roll with or if this was simply because Portis was having a strong night shooting the ball.

Sims suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb in mid-March, with the team giving him a four-week timeline after undergoing surgery. The reserve center participated in most of Tuesday’s practice, sparking optimism that he will be available. However, with Brook Lopez due to play most of the minutes and Bobby Portis back from his 25-game suspension, there won’t be many minutes available to Sims.

Both of the Bucks’ center options will sit out the regular season finale. They don’t have any other true centers, so managers should expect to see some smaller lineups featuring Kyle Kuzma, Chris Livingston and Tyler Smith at center.

Antetokounmpo played only 26 minutes on Thursday, with Doc Rivers able to get him and Brook Lopez additional rest in an uncompetitive game. Lopez played only 23 minutes, finishing with three points, one rebound, one assist, one block, and one three-pointer. Milwaukee’s two games against Detroit to end the regular season will be more critical than Thursday’s; they need one win to secure the fifth seed in the East.

Lopez has scored at least 17 points in four straight games, one of his most productive stretches of the season. In addition to his 20 points, the veteran center finished Sunday’s victory with a double-double and four blocked shots. Before Sunday, Lopez last recorded four or more blocks in a game on March 13. He’s provided third-round value in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks and will have added value for Week 23, especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) misses more time.

Damian Lillard’s absence has not impacted Lopez’s fantasy value much, as he has been a fifth-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats. That aligns with his season-long value in nine-cat and is two rounds better than his eight-cat production. Lopez has scored at least 17 points in three straight games, and the good news for fantasy managers is that he has four games on his schedule for Week 23.

Typically known for his blocks and three-pointers, Lopez was able to show off his skills as a passer on Tuesday. This was his third time this season finishing with six assists, which he has now done twice in Milwaukee’s last three games. It was also great to see Lopez bounce back after finishing with just five points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and one block against Atlanta on Sunday. Lopez has been a streaky producer all season, and this recent stretch was just another example.

With Milwaukee playing Wednesday without Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lopez stepped up and surpassed the 20-point mark for a third straight game. Over the past two weeks, the Bucks center has offered third-round value in nine-cat formats. Even if Giannis returns for Friday’s game against the Knicks, Lillard’s indefinite absence means there will continue to be additional opportunities for Lopez to flourish offensively.

While Lopez has scored 20 points or more in four of his last eight appearances, the rebounding production should not be overlooked. The 10 boards he grabbed on Monday were the most in a game for the veteran center since March 4, and his average of 5.0 per game is the lowest for Lopez since the 2019-20 campaign. That said, excellent percentages are why he has been a fifth-round player in nine-cat formats this season. And over the past two weeks, Lopez has shot 63.8 percent from the field and 86.4 percent from the foul line.

With Damian Lillard unavailable due to injury, Lopez had more room to flourish offensively. The 21 points are the most he’s scored since March 13, moving his total to five 20-point games since the All-Star break. Since then, Lopez has been a fourth-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats. For fantasy managers who have him rostered, Brook is playing well at the right time, especially with the Bucks playing four games during Week 21.