:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44365380/usa-today-8261732.0.jpg)
Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut, the pillar of the team's elite defense and at times the hub of its surging offense, is out indefinitely after undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy on his injured right knee, according to the team. Bogut has not played since leaving the team's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 8.
"We fully support Andrew in his decision to undergo the PRP treatment," general manager Bob Myers said in a statement. "Our number one concern is that Andrew is 100 percent healthy, and we will continue to support him in any way to make that happen." Myers declined comment when pressed by Diamond Leung of Bay Area News Group.
The Warriors initially diagnosed Bogut as having knee tendonitis, but changed their view after Bogut didn't recover quickly. Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP for short, offers temporary relief to chronically sore areas. Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams has undergone PRP treatments on his ankles in each of the last two seasons.
The Warriors are a good team without Bogut, but it's his presence that makes them a great team. He's the defensive anchor and has been activated as a key screener and passer in Steve Kerr's new offense. The Warriors have outscored teams by nearly 20 points per 100 possessions with Bogut on the floor this season, according to NBA.com.
But Bogut also has a history of injuries dating back to a nasty fall on his elbow late in the 2010 season with the Bucks. He hasn't played in more than 67 games in a season since and missed more than half of the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.