If Andrew Bogut’s injured left ankle does not allow him to begin the regular season Oct. 31, rookie Festus Ezeli will take Bogut’s place in the Warriors’ lineup until the Australian is healthy enough to start.

Coach Mark Jackson made that commitment Monday night after the Warriors took their worst loss of the preseason, 88-71, to the Clippers at Staples Center.

“The backup center job was wide open. He won it. He deserves it,” Jackson said of Ezeli. “He has a high IQ, loves the game and wants to be great.”

If Bogut cannot play when the Warriors open at Phoenix, “he’s my starting center,” Jackson said of Ezeli.

But against the Clippers, Ezeli had problems against DeAndre Jordan, who finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

“For spurts, he was very good,” Jackson said of Ezeli. “He went after the basketball. He was aggressive. Then for some spurts, he made some mistakes. But he’s going to be just fine.”

via Joseph D’Hippolito for the San Francisco Gate