The Golden State Warriors will be bringing back Andrew Bogut into the starting lineup over Festus Ezeli after Bogut was replaced while dealing with a concussion. Bogut returned and was coming off the bench, but now he will join the starting lineup again with Stephen Curry for the 11-0 undefeated Warriors.
Bogut suffered a concussion earlier in the season and when he returned for the Warriors he came off the bench. Bogut has played in five games this season, starting just one game, but now he will likely be back in the starting lineup. According to Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area, Bogut could be back in the starting lineup against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. The report says that coach Luke Walton "implied nothing official has been decided" about the lineup, but sources said that "Bogut is almost certain to start against massive Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas."
Bogut has played well since coming back from his injury and he had 18 rebounds in the game on Saturday against the Nets and now he could be back in the starting lineup on Tuesday, despite the strong play from Festus Ezeli. Ezeli has played well in place of Bogut and the Warriors have been able to stay undefeated this season despite Bogut playing in five games. This season Bogut is averaging seven points nine rebounds per game.
Bogut said to the San Jose Mercury News that he is not concerned about coming off of the bench and that the most important thing is the team winning games. Ezeli comes in averaging 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds this season in 11 games and he would come off the bench if Bogut is back in the starting lineup. The Warriors have been dealing with an injury to Klay Thompson and there is a chance that the guard could return on Tuesday after missing out on the game Saturday.
Thompson is dealing with a back injury and according to Rusty Simmons at the San Francisco Chronicle, Thompson was able to participate in the morning shoot around on Tuesday and could return for the Raptors game. Thompson is considered probable for the game with his back injury and he could have limited minutes if he plays. Thompson is averaging 15.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season in 10 games.
The Warriors are in first place in the Pacific division and overall in the NBA this season with an 11-0 record.