TORONTO, Canada: Australian big man Andrew Bogut played his first NBA game in nearly three months, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds for the Golden State Warriors in a 114-102 victory yesterday at Toronto.
Bogut, who started and also blocked four shots and made a steal in 23 minutes on the court, had not played since November 7, missing 38 games in order to allow his surgically repaired left ankle time to strengthen.
“It has been a long season for me so far, a frustrating season mentally and physically,” Bogut said.
“Just to be out there running up and down the court again, especially getting a win, it was very satisfying.”
The seven-foot Aussie center, who was the top pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, was traded from Milwaukee to the Warriors last March and only one month later underwent microfracture surgery on his left ankle.
Bogut played in four of the Warriors’ first five games this season, averaging 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds before taking a break to help his ankle heal.
To work him back slowly, Bogut will play no more than 25 minutes a game for now.
“Just excited to be out there and play basketball again,” Bogut said. “It has been a bumpy ride, but I think it’s at a stage now where I’m ready to progress.”
REUTERS
