Brook Lopez

The postseason — and thus, Brook Lopez’s next opportunity at a second NBA championship — won’t arrive until springtime in mid-April. Though, one certainly wouldn’t have known it, had they observed the effort and intensity the Milwaukee Bucks brought during an early-season, perhaps “must-win” clash on November 13, 2024. Slotted in as the sidekick to his 59-point-scoring frontcourt partner, Lopez demonstrates dedication, retreating back to the defensive side, in hopes of rewriting the possession’s story after his teammate’s turnover. In what ultimately made its case as one of the 2024-25 season’s most emphatic rejections, Lopez takes flight, matching both Cade Cunningham’s energy and verticality for a staunch send back block, followed by a celebratory, crowd-stirring beating of his chest. Lopez brought a playoff-like mentality throughout during the second half of the Bucks’ back-to-back, recording 29 points (on 9-of-17 shooting), eight rebounds, three steals, five blocks, five 3-pointers, and an overtime victory. It made him just NBA history’s fourth-ever player to record five or more blocks and 3-pointers in multiple games.