OAKLAND, Calif. — Dwight Howard might not be the only franchise centre who sits out when the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors meet Wednesday night.
Warriors centre Andrew Bogut is questionable to play because of right knee tendinitis. He left Monday night’s 102-86 win in Minnesota — the Warriors’ 13th in a row — early in the first quarter with the injury.
Bogut and coach Steve Kerr said after the game that they didn’t think the tendinitis was anything serious. But any time Bogut is banged up is cause for concern.
The 7-footer from Australia is the anchor of Golden State’s smothering defence, and his seasons have been often derailed by injuries, including last spring when a fractured rib kept him from playing in the first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Bogut has played in every game this season, averaging 7.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, three assists and 2.2 blocks.
The Warriors, who are an NBA-best 18-2, also said power forward David Lee remains out with a strained left hamstring. Lee has appeared in just one game this season.
Houston has been hampered by injuries for a few weeks now.
The Rockets said Tuesday that Howard (strained right knee) is doubtful to play against the Warriors, and James Harden (back spasms) and Francisco Garcia (strained left hamstring) are questionable. Isaiah Canaan (sprained left ankle), Terrence Jones (nerve inflammation in left leg) and Kostas Papanikolaou (strained right knee) remain out.
Houston (16-4) enters the game winners of four straight and seven of eight.
