Posted by:
gwoelfel on
January 15, 2009 at
1:39PM CST
BY GERY WOELFEL
Andrew Bogut just can't catch a break.
Bogut, the Bucks' talented young center, has seemingly been beset by injuries all season.
Thursday morning, Bogut underwent a MRI on his lower back and learned he'll have to miss at least three games because of back spasms.
"The good thing is there is no structural damage,'' said Marc Boff, the Bucks' head athletic trainer. "It (the MRI) confirmed it's just back spasms.''
Bucks general manager John Hammond said Bogut will not travel with the team on its upcoming West Coast trip. The Bucks play the Kings in Sacramento Friday night, the Clippers in Los Angeles Saturday night and the Trail Blazers in Portland next Monday night.
Bogut said he's been experiencing lower back problems since late December and doesn't really know how the injury occurred.
"I've tried everything under the sun and nothing works,'' Bogut said. "It's been really frustrating.''
Bogut has been slowed by a variety of ailments this season, including hip problems and excruciatingly painful migraine headaces. They have forced him to miss eight games.
Despite the health issues, Bogut has played well. He is averaging 11.8 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Bogut also entered last night's game against Miami shooting .574 from the field -- fifth-best in the NBA. In the last three games, including Wednesday night's encounter, the 7-foot center has connected on 22-of-30 shots from the field -- a white-hot 73 percent.
* Wednesday was final day for voting in the Slam Dunk Contest, which will be a part of All-Star Weekend in Phoenix next month.
Bucks forward Joe Alexander was one of three rookies vying for a spot in the competition, the others being guard Russell Westrbrook of Oklahoma City and guard Rudy Fernandez of Portland.
Mark Broussard, the NBA's director of basketball communications, said the winner of the voting would be announced next week.
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