The struggling got some extremely bad news on Thursday as they learned that former All-Star center will be out indefinitely with a fractured ankle. The Bucks are in Chicago to face the Bulls tonight – Place your NBA basketball bets at WagerWeb.com.

Bogut suffered the injury in Wednesday’s game against Houston, leaving the game in the first quarter. He said then he thought it was serious.

The Aussie, who is averaging 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 blocks this season, has had to deal with a series of injuries throughout his career. He’s had a major injury cost him significant time in each of his last four seasons. Bogut has played all 82 games of the regular season just once during six seasons in the league, his rookie season, after being chose with the No. 1 overall pick by the Bucks in the 2005 draft

He led the league in blocked shots last season playing with virtually one hand. He had surgery in April on his right elbow, the same one he injured during an infamous April 2010 during a dunk attempt against the Suns where he landed on his own arm. That injury cost him the 2010 playoffs, when the Bucks pushed the Hawks to seven games in a first round series.

With the Bucks playing 49 more games over the next three months in a compressed schedule due to the lockout, it’s certain Bogut will miss a huge chunk of those games and possibly all of them.

“It’s a very unfortunate injury for Andrew,” said Bucks general manager John Hammond. “Obviously we’ve been in this position before. Other people will have to step up.”

Hammond said the Bucks will “explore options” at the center spot with the possibility of signing a player. Before training camp, the Bucks had considered adding veteran center Joel Przybilla.

But for now the Bucks will have to cope with Bogut’s absence using power forwards Drew Gooden, Ersan Ilyasova and Larry Sanders, all of whom have spent time at the center position. Rookie power forward Jon Leuer also could be in line for increased playing time.

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