He almost didn’t play last night against the Denver Nuggets. Andrew Bogut did hoop, however, and boy did he ever. The big fella’s 14 points, 21 rebounds and four blocks ensured a 92-88 Game 6 victory for the Golden State Warriors, propelling the dubs into the secord round of the NBA Playffs. Per USA Today: “Limited to just 32 games this season after his left ankle surgery in late April 2012 that was only supposed to sideline him through October, Bogut was a forceful presence on the defensive end and a key part of the Warriors offense that needed someone counter the Nuggets team that is so proficient on the offensive glass. Yet while speaking to just two reporters in a hallway inside the arena afterward, Bogut revealed that he nearly missed out on Game 6 altogether because of pain in the ankle that persists but took a pain-killing injection for the first time in his eight-year career that saved his day. ‘I almost didn’t play today, to be honest with you,’ Bogut said. ‘I took a shot before the game, the first one I’ve taken all year, that I’ve ever taken in my career. It got me over the line, thankfully. I’m very, very, good now, but I’m not looking forward to waking up in the morning.’ Bogut, the Australian who has never been shy about his penchant for pub hopping, said he abstained from drinking this season because beer would cause his ankle to swell. As the Warriors headed out to celebrate their win, he planned on joining them without joining in. ‘A couple of the guys are going out, but I just don’t want to risk (drinking) and wake up in the morning and then have an issue,’ he said. ‘I’ll stick to my sparkling water with lemon.'”
