"The Warriors have been looking toward the return of their centers for some time now. And, quite frankly, coach Don Nelson is tired of waiting.

The presence of centers Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf has no doubt been noticeable since they returned from their respective injuries recently. But Nelson wants more from them, sooner than later.

"Our centers are back now, time for them to step up," Nelson said after Sunday's practice. "It's time now to put the injury behind them and start playing up to their potential. We've given them a few days, a few games. I don't need it to take two weeks to get it done. They need to step up and do it now."

In order to facilitate the progress, Nelson announced after Monday's practice that he's starting Turiaf at center instead of Biedrins tonight at Denver against the Nuggets.

Turiaf missed all but four games with a strained left knee before returning to the lineup against Phoenix on Dec. 26. Nelson said Turiaf has been good on defense, and he's been a viable facilitator from the high post on offense. But there is a concern about his knee, which hasn't responded well to coming off the bench. The Warriors want him to play after pregame and halftime warm-ups because once Turiaf sits and rests, his knee stiffens.

With Turiaf starting, the Warriors can bring Biedrins off the bench and, more importantly, have Biedrins finish the game. He'll probably be the only legitimate center on the bench, as Chris Hunter is questionable with a sprained left ankle."