Warriors lose Bogut to knee tenditinits

The Golden State Warriors may have to close out the Minnesota TImberwolves without Andrew Bogut.

Bogut left in the first quarter of Monday's game due to right knee irritation and did not return. The Australian center started the game and grabbed four rebounds with two blocks in just two minutes before being pulled.

Festus Ezeli was the first sub in for Bogut, and Marreese Speights saw more playing time as a result, as well. Ognjen Kuzmic was dusted off late as the Warriors - the league's best team - pulled away from the lowly Wolves.

An extended absence for Bogut would be difficult for the Warriors, as he represents the rim-protecting backbone of their No. 1 defense. In 19 games entering play Monday, Bogut was averaging 7.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 blocks, with the team performing 16.7 points per-100 possessions better with him on the floor than without him.

Luckily, Bogut said after the game that he doesn't believe it will pose much of an issue moving forward. He's been dealing with tendinitis for about a week and said his knee locked up on him Monday.