Andrew Bogut's hopes of leading Milwaukee back to the NBA play-offs have taken a huge blow after the Australian was ruled out for at least eight weeks with a stress fracture in his back.
The injury is not currently considered season-ending, but he will be re-evaluated at the end of March, when the Bucks will have just seven games left in the regular season.
The 24-year-old was first diagnosed with back spasms in December and has missed 13 of Milwaukee's last 18 games, twice trying to come back to help the Bucks stay in the play-off race.
But the full extent of the injury is now known and while Bogut won't require surgery, he has been forced to rest for at least two months.
Bucks coach Scott Skiles says he's sick for Bogut, as the young centre has put a lot of effort, focus and concentration into this season.
Bogut, the 2005 top draft pick, has season averages of 11.7 points and a team-high 10.3 rebounds per game.
