Golden State Warriors: Andrew Bogut out indefinitely with broken rib

Mar 2, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Warriors 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

If you’ve ever wondered how the Golden State Warriors would fare without their starting center Andrew Bogut, you’re about to find out.

According to the Warriors, Bogut has been diagnosed with a rib fracture and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Golden State has the third best defense in the NBA (allowing less than 100 points per 100 possessions) and Bogut has had a lot to do with it. Without Bogut, the Warriors are going to have to rely on Jermaine O’Neal stepping up in his absence. Unfortunately, the Warriors may end up facing the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, thus setting up a very lopsided O’Neal and David Lee vs DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin matchup.

The question that Bogut and the Warriors need to ask themselves is if a slightly above 50 percent healthy Bogut trumps a closer to healthy O’Neal. Either way, the Warriors may not have much time to decide — and just may be forced to figure that out on the job.

Bogut is averaging 7.3 points and 10 rebounds per game this season.