By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

OAKLAND — Andris Biedrins, the Warriors’ final iron-man candidate, will not make an appearance in all 82 games this season.

Biedrins, who hadn’t missed any of Golden State’s first 42 contests, will sit out Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a sprained left wrist, Warriors coach Don Nelson said.

“We never want to come out here knowing (Biedrins) is not going to be on our bench,” Stephen Jackson said. “That’s (12.0) rebounds we’ve got to account for.”

Biedrins suffered the injury in Golden State’s 119-98 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday, although he wasn’t certain of when specifically it happened, a team spokesman said. Biedrins was not available for comment at shootaround Wednesday morning.

Most teammates didn’t realize Biedrins had been hurt until he complained of pain at practice on Tuesday.

“That’s a guy that can finish around the basket real easily, than can do so many great things on the basketball court,” said Ronny Turiaf, who is expected to start in Biedrins’ place. “You could see that he couldn’t finish as well (Tuesday) as usual. You can tell when something’s bothering him. He was short (on his shots), his wrist wasn’t following through all the way.”

The Warriors are especially thin in the frontcourt at the moment, since starting power forward Brandan Wright remains sidelined with a dislocated left shoulder. Nelson will have only four healthy big men to pick from: Turiaf, rookies Anthony Randolph and Rob Kurz and D-League pickup Jermareo Davidson.

Don’t be surprised, therefore, if the Warriors go small early and often tonight against the Thunder.

“Guys will have to step up,” said Corey Maggette, who will probably get significant run at the 4. “Now, instead of getting six rebounds tonight, I’ve got to get maybe 10 or 12. . . . Jermarero is probably going to get an opportunity to play tonight. Rob always comes in and does a great job being patient and grabbing rebounds for his team. He’s going to have more opportunities, minute-wise, to play.”

Biedrins is listed as day-to-day, with no determination yet if he’ll be back in time to face Cleveland on Friday.

“Hopefully he gets back soon,” Jackson said. “Because we can’t play too many games without him.”

One bright spot for the Warriors on the injury front: guard C.J. Watson will return after a two-game absence due to a turf toe injury suffered on his left foot.

“It still hurts, but I can play through it,” Watson said.

Guard Marco Belinelli, however, will miss his fourth game with a sprained right ankle.

Contact: geofflepper@48minutes.net