Andrew Bogut out for season
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Andrew Bogut’s season is over. J.R. Smith’s has resumed.
And so it goes for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who because of several major injuries have yet to play at full strength this season while seeking to repeat as NBA champions.
Bogut has been ruled out for the rest of the season, including the playoffs, after breaking his left leg Monday night just 58 seconds into his Cleveland debut. The 7-foot Australian signed with the Cavaliers last week.
The team said Wednesday that Bogut won’t need surgery and is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of next season.
He was signed to give Cleveland some needed frontcourt depth and a big body to combat potential mismatches in the postseason. General manager David Griffin, who has overhauled Cleveland’s roster with the additions of Kyle Korver, Deron Williams and Derrick Williams, will likely add another big man. That’s unlikely to happen during the Cavaliers’ upcoming road trip, which begins today in Detroit.
While Bogut is lost, Smith practiced Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery in late December on a broken right thumb and is listed as questionable for today’s game. Korver is out with a sore left foot but will accompany the team on its trip and continue to receive treatment.