Bogut’s back in NBA action
ANDREW Bogut thought he would spend a few relaxed days getting over jet-lag and child-proofing his new home in California but the Australian big man suddenly found himself on an urgent flight to San Antonio to help out the Golden State Warriors.
Bogut was impressive in his NBA comeback, although he could not help the Warriors earn a victory over the surging Spurs.
San Antonio, with Australian point guard Patty Mills scoring 10 points off the bench, won their ninth straight game to defeat the Warriors 111-105 yesterday.
Bogut, fresh off his MVP season in the NBL with the Sydney Kings, was a shock starter and had seven points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes.
“All part of the NBA circus, I guess,” said Bogut of his globetrotting in recent days – from Sydney to San Francisco and then an intense NBA game in Texas.
Bogut, who played with Golden State from 2012 to 2016, landed in the US on Friday and the initial plan was for him to play his first game at home on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr sent Bogut an SOS text on Saturday night when the team’s All-star centre Demarcus Cousins suffered an ankle injury in Oklahoma City.
“Call me ASAP,” Kerr’s text read.
Bogut flew to San Antonio on Sunday and Kerr surprised the Australian by telling him he would start alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant.
“He burst out laughing,” said Kerr, recalling Bogut’s response.
Kerr had no concerns because the Warriors’ playbook has not largely changed since 2016 and Bogut was familiar with playing alongside Curry, Thompson and Green. And he was correct.
In the first 90 seconds Bogut caught a lob pass from Curry for his first basket and a few minutes later dunked off the two-time NBA MVP’S bounce pass.
Elsewhere, Australian swingman Joe Ingles had 11 of his 16 points in the first half as the Utah Jazz won 116-95 at the Washington Wizards.
Boomers forwards Thon Maker started and played a season-high 33 minutes for the Detroit Pistons, contributing seven points, nine rebounds and three assists in a 126-119 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Denver Nuggets got past the Boston Celtics 114-105 to clinch a playoff berth and join the Warriors at 47-22 for the best record in the western conference.
Toronto Raptors trounced the New York Knicks 128-92, the Miami Heat won 116-107 at the Thunder, while the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks 129-125 in overtime.
Jeremy Lin scored 20 points and Fred Vanvleet had 13 points and 12 assists as the Toronto Raptors bounced back to trounce the New York Knicks 128-92.