After signing with the Golden State Warriors nearly two weeks ago, Andrew Bogut will make his season debut against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday with DeMarcus Cousins undergoing an MRI on his right foot:
DeMarcus Cousins (sore foot, MRI tomorrow) status has flipped the Warriors plans, Team announces. Andrew Bogut flying to San Antonio from Oakland. Available for tomorrow’s game vs Spurs.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 17, 2019
Bogut was initially set to make his debut at home against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, but the setback to Cousins has sped up that timeline.
Bogut, who was a member of the Warriors from 2012 to 2016, was having issues joining the team due to complications with his visa, but all has been resolved and he will make his Golden State return on Monday evening.
The former No. 1 overall pick was a key cog in his first stint with the Warriors as the starting center, providing rebounding and toughness on the interior. One of Golden State's perceived weaknesses has been their ability (or lack thereof) to control the paint, but with Bogut in the fold alongside Cousins the front line has gotten much stronger.
Bogut had signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Kings in Australia's professional league, where he averaged 11.6 points and 11.7 rebounds en route to NBL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was released from his contract with the Kings after an opportunity to return to Golden State surfaced.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Bogut's arrival is his defensive impact. According to NBA.com advanced statistics, Bogut averaged a defensive rating of 98.225 in his four seasons with the Warriors, firmly establishing himself as an elite rim protector.
The Warriors have seen a surprising level of regression in terms of team defense this year, but with Bogut back in the fold they add some grittiness inside.
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