Warriors' Andrew Bogut (back) out indefinitely
Warriors center Andrew Bogut will be sidelined with a back injury. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
By Ben Golliver
Warriors center Andrew Bogut, plagued by injuries over the last few seasons, will be sidelined indefinitely after an MRI revealed a disc protrusion in his back.
The San Francisco Chroniclereports the details.
Warriors center Andrew Bogut didn’t fly with the team from Oakland as it started its final extended road trip of the season Saturday because of a disc protrusion that is causing back spasms, according to team officials.
The Warriors say there is no real timetable for Bogut’s return, but they’re holding out hope that he can join the team at some point during their five-game trip.
A protrusion is a painful but common form of spinal disc deterioration that often leads to herniation, according to multiple medical Web sites. Minor bouts of protruding discs in the back may be treated with massages, rest and anti-inflammatory medicines over several weeks. Major episodes require surgery.
Coach Mark Jackson started Andris Biedrins in Bogut's absence on Friday and used reserve center Festus Ezeli in limited minutes. Starters David Lee and Harrison Barnes and reserve forward Carl Landry will play the bulk of Golden State's frontcourt minutes with Bogut unavailable.
Bogut, 28, has played in just 24 combined games over the last two seasons due to ankle injuries. He missed the opening portion of this season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left ankle last year.
The Associated Press notes that this isn't the first back-related absence for Bogut.
Bogut also missed more than half of the 2008-09 season with a stress fracture in his lower back, one game with a mild back strain the following season and five games with a sore back during the 2010-11 season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
With the end of the regular season less than eight weeks away, the Warriors are currently the No. 6 seed in the West with a record of 32-23. Golden State is tracking towards its first playoff appearance since 2006-07 and just its second since 1994-95.
Bogut is averaging 7.1 points and 65.5 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game in 12 appearances this season.
