Turiaf returns, Biedrins set to come back Monday

The Warriors got half of their center tandem back on Saturday when Ronny Turiaf returned to the lineup against the Phoenix Suns.

Turiaf came off the bench, though, as Anthony Randolph started at center.

The usual starting center, Andris Biedrins, was expected to be in the lineup Saturday, but pushed his return back to Monday night against the Boston Celtics. If he does return then, Biedrins will have missed seven weeks exactly because of osteitis pubis — a straining of the muscles that connect the abdomen and quadriceps.

"I just wanted to have a couple more practices with the team to get a feeling a little bit," Biedrins said. "When I was practicing, my timing was off. I didn't play for six weeks. So I just needed a little body contact, five-on-five in practice. I'll be ready for Monday."

Biedrins said he didn't suffer a setback. He said he's still sore in his abdominal area after he works out, although he said the soreness is decreasing. He said his back isn't hurting anymore, either.

Biedrins worked out before the game Saturday and will get to practice today before playing his first game since Nov. 8 at Sacramento.

He is expecting to start with limited minutes so he can work back himself back into a groove. Turiaf was under the same plan Saturday.

He got an ovation when he got off the bench, and when he checked into the

game for the first time at the 5:18 mark of the second quarter. Turiaf hadn't played since Nov. 30, thanks to a sprained left knee, which has caused him to miss all but five of the Warriors games this season.

Nelson said before the game he expected Turiaf to play about 15 minutes. He played four first-half minutes, pulling two rebounds.

Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson, who played his first six seasons with Golden State, plays better against the Warriors than any other team in the league. He entered Saturday's game averaging 23.7 points per game in six games against the Warriors, his highest average against any team.

Richardson averaged 18.3 points and 5.4 rebounds during his Warriors tenure.

Warriors coach Don Nelson said before the game that he still wants to add a small forward. He said he would talk to general manager Larry Riley about the status of the second injury exception the Warriors desire. . . . Anthony Morrow returned to the starting lineup Saturday. He was a fixture in the starting lineup since swingman Stephen Jackson was traded. But Morrow had come off the bench the last two games, and three of the last four.

— MARCUS THOMPSON II