Warriors' Bogut says knee injury worse than originally believed

The Golden State Warriors enter Tuesday's showdown with the Memphis Grizzlies riding high at 21-2, winners of 16 straight.

But not everything is going well, as center Andrew Bogut will miss his fourth consecutive game on Tuesday because of what was originally called right knee irritation, and then right knee tendinitis.

Now it sounds like it might be something more.

"I came on the trip so I didn't have a lot of time to get it checked. From what I was told it wasn't something I should be worried about, but evidently it probably is," Bogut said Tuesday, as reported by ESPN's Ethan Sherwood Strauss.

Bogut also said that he will get his knee checked on Wednesday when the team is back home, and added that he is not expected to require surgery.

While the team has continued winning without Bogut in the short term, any long-term absence would be a major blow to the league-leading Warriors. Bogut's rim protection anchors the team's No. 1-ranked defense, while his passing ability, and increased touches under coach Steve Kerr, have helped the Warriors improve their offensive attack.

Bogut has dealt with a variety of injuries over the years. He hasn't cracked the 70-game mark since 2007-08, and has missed more than 200 games over the last nine years after suiting up for all 82 games in his rookie season.