Brook Lopez is 37 years old, and honestly, in NBA years, that basically makes him a senior citizen. If you've been watching the Los Angeles Clippers lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The guy who was once the defensive anchor for a championship team in Milwaukee is now navigating a much different reality in Southern California.
Looking at Brook Lopez last 5 games, the numbers aren't exactly screaming "All-Star." They’re barely whispering "rotation player."
It’s been a weird stretch. One night he looks like a savvy veteran who can still stroke it from deep, and the next, he’s a "pumpkin"—to borrow a phrase from the beat writers—who barely registers on the box score. Let's break down what's actually happening on the floor because the raw stats only tell half the story.
The Brutal Reality of the Box Score
If you’re a fantasy manager, you’re probably pulling your hair out. Over this recent five-game span, Brook has been the definition of "hit or miss," mostly leaning toward the latter.
Take the January 14th game against the Washington Wizards. He actually got the start because Ivica Zubac was dealing with a bum ankle. He put up 11 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes. Not bad, right? But then you look at the shooting: 4-of-10 from the field and a dismal 1-of-6 from downtown. It’s a far cry from the "Splash Mountain" days.
Then there was the January 10th disaster against Detroit. 12 minutes. Zero points. 0-for-4 from the field. He basically existed on the court and then went home. It’s those kinds of nights that make you wonder if the legs are finally gone.
Here is the quick and dirty breakdown of his production over these five contests:
- Scoring: He’s averaging about 5.8 points. That is… not great.
- Efficiency: His field goal percentage is hovering in a scary place, often dipping below 30% in individual games.
- The Long Ball: He’s still taking them, but he’s only hitting about 20% of his triples in this recent stretch.
- Glass Work: Rebounding has never been his "thing" (he’s a box-out specialist), but 3.0 boards per game is low even for him.
Why the Context Matters (The Zubac Factor)
You can't talk about Brook Lopez last 5 games without mentioning Ivica Zubac. Lopez was brought in to be the backup, a veteran presence who could stretch the floor when Big Zu needed a breather. But when Zubac went down with that ankle injury, Brook was thrust back into a primary role.
The results were mixed.
Against Charlotte on January 12th, we saw a flash of the old Brook. He dropped 9 points and went 3-of-6 from three-point land. In 20 minutes of action, he finished as a +7. That’s the version the Clippers paid for—a guy who stays out of the way, hits his open looks, and protects the rim.
But the defensive impact is where it gets tricky. In the modern NBA, if you’re a 7-foot-1 center who can’t move his feet on the perimeter, teams will hunt you. The Knicks did exactly that on January 7th. They dragged him into high pick-and-rolls and basically dared him to keep up. He didn't. He finished that game with 6 points and zero rebounds in 16 minutes.
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Is the Defense Still There?
The one thing Brook has always had is "verticality." He’s a master of the "Rule of Verticality," challenging shots without fouling. Even in this rough five-game stretch, he’s managed to average about 1.0 blocks per game.
Against Brooklyn on January 9th, he actually looked quite active. He had 2 blocks and 2 steals. He’s still smart. He knows where to be. The problem is that sometimes his brain knows where to go, but his knees don't get the memo in time.
There’s a reason Tyronn Lue has been hesitant to give him big minutes even with Zubac out. The Clippers are playing a faster, more versatile style, and Brook sometimes looks like he's running in sand. He’s currently averaging about 16.9 minutes per game on the season, and in this last five-game window, that hasn't changed much despite the injuries to the frontcourt.
The Trade Rumors are Swirling
Because his production has dipped and his contract is relatively manageable ($8.75 million), the rumor mill is starting to grind. There’s been talk about him being a piece in a larger deal, potentially to a team like Toronto or even a return to a contender that needs a backup big who understands playoff basketball.
Insiders like Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton have noted that the Clippers might be looking to get more athletic. If Brook can’t regain his shooting stroke—which is his primary value on offense—he becomes a very expensive cheerleader.
What This Means for the Clippers
The Clippers are in a weird spot. They’re 16-23 as of mid-January, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference playoff race. They need every win they can get.
When Brook Lopez plays well, he changes the geometry of the court. He pulls the opposing center out of the paint, which opens up driving lanes for James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. When he’s clanking those wide-open threes (like that 0-for-4 night in Detroit), the offense stalls.
Actionable Takeaways for the Second Half
If you're following Brook Lopez or the Clippers, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the 3PT Percentage: If he doesn't get back above 33% from deep, his minutes will continue to vanish. A non-shooting Brook Lopez is a liability in a 5-out world.
- Watch the Matchups: He is still a viable "streamer" in fantasy or a useful real-life asset against traditional, slow-footed centers. Against "small-ball" lineups? Leave him on the bench.
- The February 5th Deadline: Keep your ears open. If the Clippers decide to "retool," Lopez is one of the most likely candidates to be moved to a team looking for veteran leadership.
- Zubac’s Health: Brook's value is entirely tied to Ivica Zubac’s ankle. Once Zubac is back to 100%, expect Brook to settle into a strictly 12-to-15 minute role.
The "Splash Mountain" era isn't officially over, but the park might be closing early today. He’s still a professional, and he’s still 7 feet tall, but the margin for error is getting paper-thin.
Watch the next game against Toronto on January 16th. If he starts, pay attention to how he handles the Raptors' length. If he struggles again, it might be time to admit that we’re watching the final chapter of a great career.