The Golden State Warriors picked up right where they left off in their season opener on Tuesday night as they blew out the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors came into this season as one of the healthiest teams in the NBA with almost no injuries to speak of to key players but that changed in the opener. Andrew Bogut was hit in the head during the game and was diagnosed with a concussion that will likely keep him out for at least the next two games, according to Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group.
During the game on Tuesday Bogut butted heads with Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham and was bleeding from above his right eye. Initially he was diagnosed with an eye injury and he needed stitches for the laceration but he underwent concussion tests and did not pass them. Bogut was already wearing a mask for a broken nose he suffered during the preseason when this happened.
The Warriors are now embarking on a two game road trip which Bogut will reportedly not be on and it is unknown if he will be able to return when the team gets back home. Bogut has dealt with a lot of injuries throughout his career so this is quite unfortunate but concussions are tricky so don't expect the Warriors to rush their center back.
Bogut was off to a great start in the season opener before being hit in the head as he had made all six of his field goal attempts and added five rebounds, five assists and two blocks in just 19 minutes. For however long Bogut is out expect Festus Ezeli to take over the starting role and play big minutes. Ezeli too got off to a great start this season as he went 6-10 from the field and added four rebounds in just four minutes.
The Warriors consider Ezeli to be their center of the future and now he will likely have the opportunity to play starters minutes and prove to them they are right in that thought. Behind Ezeli the Warriors have Jason Thompson who was a DNP-coaches decision in the season opener but he may see some time while Bogut is out. Another option behind Ezeli could be going small more often with Draymond Green at the five or playing Marreese Speights at center. The Warriors will be fine while Bogut is out but he shouldn't miss too much time.
