Emergency Podcast: Brook Lopez is out indefinitely after undergoing back surgery

All of the good vibes from Wednesday's wild win evaporated instantly when the news broke.

The mysterious Brook Lopez injury saga that has been a story throughout the 2021-22 Milwaukee Bucks season took a disheartening turn on Thursday, when the team announced Lopez had successfully undergone back surgery that would keep him out indefinitely. Any remaining hope that Lopez might miraculously return to the lineup in the coming weeks is now extinguished.

Jordan Treske and I sat down soon after the news broke to discuss what it means for Brook and for the Bucks, how the signing of DeMarcus Cousins is now in a totally different light, the various players on the team that will have to step up to collectively fill some very big shoes, and the potential of another roster move as well.

We still somehow don’t have any idea of a timeline for Lopez, but it seems like the safest answer is “not soon” considering the precedent set by the last aging big man, Serge Ibaka, to undergo a back surgery. Everything kind of sucks today, although we tried to find some levity in a very tough situation.

Much will be said (and typed) about how the Bucks can rebound from this news and make moves to get them closer to a title, but the most immediate thought on our minds is to hope Brook Lopez is doing well and can recover completely, as back injuries are no joke. Get well soon, big fella.