Aussies in NBA: Andrew Bogut continues to battle hamstring injury
Andrew Bogut continues to be plagued by injury. Namely, his right hamstring.
After returning to the Dallas lineup last week, Bogut re-aggravated the injury during the Mavericks’ upset victory over the San Antonio Spurs yesterday. With his ball club on the second night of a back to back, Bogut did not take the floor during today’s bout against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle spoke to the media here in Dallas before the Cavaliers game and reinforced the struggles facing Bogut. “He is just having some bad luck,” Carlisle noted. The Mavericks leader stated that zero risks would be taken in an attempt to nurse the big Australian back to full health.
There is no timetable on Bogut’s return at this point.
Sunday’s game against San Antonio marked Bogut’s third game back from an injury he suffered against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the 9th of January. He averaged 15 minutes per game during three contests back with the Mavericks before succumbing to a re-aggravation of the injury. With Bogut out of action, Salah Mejri and Dwight Powell will be required to step unto larger minutes.
This latest setback means Bogut will miss the chance to rekindle his rivalry with LeBron James and the Cavillers, whom Bogut opposed in the past two NBA Finals during his time in Golden State.
Bogut suffering a relapse of his hamstring injury is bad news for a Mavericks franchise who could be looking to move the big Australian before February’s trade deadline. Dallas enters the Cavaliers game with a poultry 17-30 record and looks headed for the lottery for just the second time in fifteen years.
This season has been a disappointment for Mark Cuban and Co, and a Bogut trade could bring in another asset to help the franchise return to the playoffs next season. For more on possible Bogut trade destinations, check out Winston’s piece explaining which teams could benefit most from adding the big Australian.
Unfortunately for Bogut, injury plagued seasons are nothing new. He’s only played in all 82 games once during his in his 12-year career (when he was a rookie), and only reached the 70 game plateau three times since entering the league. Hopefully improved luck from the injury gods is just around the corner.