The cause of Andrew Bogut’s shoulder injury has sparked a bizarre war of words between the Australian NBA centre and his Golden State coach Mark Jackson.

Bogut has missed the Warriors’ past three games due to a sore left shoulder, ending a run in which he missed just one of Golden State’s opening 49 games.

It has been Bogut’s best injury-free run since he played 78 games with Milwaukee in 2007-08 – his third season in the NBA.

His last performance was a 15-rebound effort in a loss to Charlotte on February 4 before he was forced to the sidelines, much to the annoyance of Jackson.

“As far as I know, it wasn’t on the court,” Jackson told reporters of Bogut’s left shoulder injury prior to Wednesday’s win over Philadelphia.

“It wasn’t in practice. It wasn’t in a game. I’m not really sure.

“It may have been sleeping, and I say that in all seriousness.”

But Bogut has taken offence at the coach’s remark.

“I just wanted to address that the sleeping comment is absolutely ridiculous,” Bogut said.

“I don’t know where it came from. I don’t know if I should read between the lines with it.

“The frustrating thing is: I don’t know when I hurt it against Utah (on January 31). I just know after that game, it was a little sore. It hasn’t gotten better.”

An MRI has revealed no structural damage and Bogut is hoping to return to the court after the All-Star break this weekend.

He also plans to talk to Jackson about his earlier comments.

“It’s not like I just woke up after sleeping on my shoulder wrong,” Bogut said.

“I have a bone bruise and swelling in my shoulder. That coming from sleeping is very highly unlikely, I believe.”