Just a day after Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr criticised Andrew Bogut for his inability to stay out of foul trouble, the Australian NBA centre stepped up.
"Boges was phenomenal," Kerr told reporters about his performance in the Warriors' 120-111 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"He rebounded, he scored, he was aggressive."
The Warriors' win at home in Oakland on Thursday staved off elimination from the playoffs, but they still face a monumental task to stay alive in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
They trail the Thunder 3-2 in the series.
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The Warriors have to win game six in front of a ferocious Oklahoma City crowd on Saturday, something they have been unable to do in the series, and then be victorious in game seven on Monday in Oakland.
The Thunder need just one win to eliminate the Warriors.
"It's going to be tough," Bogut said.
The Australian had a playoff career-high 15 points, 14 rebounds, two blocked shots, two steals and just three fouls in a little less than 30 minutes on the court.
Kerr had been frustrated with Bogut picking up early fouls in the first four games, resulting in the Australian veteran being forced to the bench and averaging just 13 minutes a game.
Some San Francisco Bay area sports columnists had questioned whether the Warriors should trade the 31-year-old at the end of the season.
Bogut agrees his performance in the series had not been good enough.
"I had four crappy games so I tried to have a fifth good one," Bogut said.
"I didn't want the season to end tonight."
It was the Thunder's New Zealand centre Steven Adams who got into early foul trouble, picking up two and being benched in the first three minutes.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said this allowed Bogut to dominate.
The Warriors' two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry also shook off recent poor form with 31 points.
The teams battled throughout the game, with the Warriors taking leads and the Thunder, led by All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook who had 40 and 31 points, respectively, fighting back.
But, after an action-filled final few minutes, the Warriors maintained their composure and scored the win.
