Cleveland Cavaliers J.R. Smith. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith will miss 12 to 14 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a "complex fracture" of his right thumb, the team announced Friday.
Smith's surgery was completed Friday morning at the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center in Montrose, Ohio. The team said the surgery was performed by renowned hand surgeon Dr. Thomas Graham of Northwell Health of New York, with Dr. TJ Reilly of the Crystal Clinic assisting. Team physician Dr. Richard D. Parker of the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health also was present.
"Smith will now undergo a period of recovery and rehabilitation for his thumb and his return to play timeline is currently projected at 12-14 weeks," the Cavs said in a release.
Smith suffered the injury during the first half of Tuesday night's 114-108 overtime road victory against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Cavaliers said Wednesday that treatment and a return-to-play timeline would be established following the surgery. The early assumption was Smith would be out 4-6 weeks but the severity of the fracture requires a longer recovery time.
Smith's thumb injury occurred when he swiped at the ball as Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo went to the basket.
The Cavaliers started DeAndre Liggins in Smith's place for the second night of their back-to-back games with the Bucks. Cleveland won 113-102 and Liggins scored five points.
"We're going to miss J.R., his effort on defense, his tough shot making," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said prior to Wednesday's game. "But it's no excuses for us. It's next man up and we've got to be ready to play. We've got to do it by committee. I think our guys are ready to step up to the challenge."
Smith, 31, signed a four-year, $57 million extension in the offseason after the Cavaliers' championship win. The 13-year veteran is averaging 8.6 points in 21 games this season -- missing five contests because of knee and ankle injuries -- and shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range.
