OAKLAND – Warriors center Andrew Bogut will be sidelined indefinitely after being diagnosed with a fractured rib on his right side, coach Mark Jackson said Monday.
"He's in some pain,'' Jackson said, "so we move forward.''
Bogut's injury presses 18-year veteran Jermaine O'Neal into the starting lineup Monday night, when the Warriors face the Timberwolves at Oracle Arena.
In addition to Bogut being out, small forward Andre Iguodala also will miss the game with tendinitis in his right knee. It has been known for a couple weeks that Iguodala would miss selected games to rest his ailing knee. He played 37 minutes Sunday night in a 119-117 overtime loss at Portland.
Harrison Barnes will replace Iguodala in the starting lineup, Jackson said.
Bogut's injury initially occurred in a 100-99 loss to Denver last Thursday at Oracle Arena. After sustaining a blow to the ribcage, he left the court with 4:52 remaining wincing and clutching his right side.
"I think it started against Denver, when I first did it, to be honest,'' Bogut said prior to Monday's game.
Bogut has since taken a couple more shots to the rib – it's a hazard of the job when you live in the middle of NBA traffic – and could not continue after being hit again Sunday at Portland.
The diagnosis means the Warriors face the likelihood of going through the playoffs without their 7-foot defensive presence.
"Next man stands up,'' Jackson said. "We've prepared for this all season long and it's going to be a great opportunity for other guys.''
