The Los Angeles Lakers will still be without center Brook Lopez for their second preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, per theScore.

Lopez missed the Lakers’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their preseason opener due to back spasms.

Lopez has participated in back-to-back practices, though, so his absence in preseason could be more of a precaution than a sign of a more serious injury.

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The 29-year-old is expected to be a starter for the Lakers this season after he was acquired in the trade which sent D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets over the offseason. He led the Nets with 20.5 points last season and shot a career-high 34 percent from beyond the arc.

The Lakers started Larry Nance Jr. alongside Julius Randle in the frontcourt against Minnesota, and will likely continue with that starting lineup as Brook Lopez remains unavailable.

Second-year center Ivica Zubac, who had nine points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 19 minutes against the Timberwolves, should also see a good deal of playing time against the Nuggets.