Recovering Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez is optimistic moving forward as he may finally suit up a basketball uniform. 

Detailed by Shams Charania of The Athletic, the 7-foot big man is doing every step-by-step process for its rehabilitation.

“My lower back has been coming along pretty possibly [in the last couple of weeks],” said Lopez. “We’ve done some off-court stuff in the past couple of days and we just keep ramping it up — so it’s gone very well.”

“It’s tough. I’ve never liked playing with  tough injuries since New Jersey, Brooklyn [days], so I really [feel] great these days sitting out.”

Lopez told Charania that he remains positive after missing a lot of games with the Bucks, and he has a target date in mind for a return, which he didn’t reveal in the interview.

“I’ve been very hopeful as well. We’re definitely getting there, we’re on a runaway and, yeah, there’s a target in my mind.” 

Lopez only managed to play in Milwaukee’s 127-104 opening night win against the Brooklyn Nets this season, tallying 8 markers and 5 boards in 28 minutes. Since then, he’s been shelved for team activities due to a back injury. 

A fundamental piece of Mike Budenholzer’s two-way schemes, the Bucks remain rough this season in his absence — a depleting concern on the frontcourt of the defending champs, who are currently sitting at the 10th spot of the East with a 7-8 record. 

Milwaukee will battle the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday evening inside Fiserv Forum.