Here’s some injury news that isn’t really news at all, because it concerns Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut.
The oft-injured Bogut will not play in any of the team’s next three games as he continues to build strength in his surgically repaired left ankle, the team announced Tuesday.
Bogut remaining sidelined by an injury really isn’t news. The former top overall draft pick has played just four games since Jan. 25, when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks. He also missed 46 games in 2008-09, 13 games in 2009-10 and 17 games in 2010-11.
The Warriors acquired Bogut in a trade deadline deal last March. On April 27, Bogut underwent surgery and has been pretty much rehabilitating the ankle ever since. He did take the court at the start of the season but was extremely limited.
After missing much of training camp and preseason, Bogut played in four of Golden State’s first five games, averaging 18 minutes, 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds. The game he skipped was the second of a back-to-back.
Bogut has not played since going scoreless in 17 minutes in a win over Cleveland on Nov. 7, missing six games. He spent several days last week in Los Angeles, where he received treatment from Dr. Richard Ferkel, who performed the ankle surgery. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Bogut received injections in the ankle.
According to the Warriors, the plan is for Bogut to begin treadmill work with the hope that he can return to practice Monday. The team’s medical staff will monitor his progress.
The Warriors are a surprising 6-5 without Bogut. They have been starting rookie Festus Ezeli at center and also using Andris Biedrins. Ezeli is averaging 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds and Biedrins is averaging 0.8 points and 3.0 rebounds.
The Warriors completed a 2-1 road trip with Monday’s overtime win in Dallas. Their next three games are vs. Brooklyn on Wednesday, at Denver on Friday and vs. Minnesota on Saturday. If Bogut misses just three games, he would return Nov. 29 vs. Denver.