Brook Lopez WILL Play, Won't start; Deron Williams OUT

Lionel Hollins announced that Brook Lopez will indeed play in Tuesday's game vs. the Nuggets, but will not start. Hollins, looking a bit uncertain, said he wasn't sure what role Lopez will play vs. Denver

Hollins says Lopez won't start and he's not sure if he'll even play. "He hasn't played in forever ... I'm not sure how effective he can be."

— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) December 23, 2014

Lopez hasn't played since December 5th against the Hawks. That's eight straight, and in his place, Mason Plumlee hasn't just been starting...  he's been excelling. In his last six games, Plumlee has averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots on 68.2 percent shooting.

Lopez was playing well before he went down with his back strain. In his last three games, including a 15-point, 16-rebound game against Tim Duncan and the Spurs, he averaged 19.7 and 10.3.

Vasquez also notes that Lopez hasn't come off the bench since his seventh game of his rookie season back in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Nets also announced that Deron Williams would miss his second straight game with a strained right calf. He injured it in Friday night's 95-91 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.