Varejao’s injury ends season

Associated Press

Cleveland

Anderson Varejao’s season has ended, dealing a major blow to the Cavaliers’ NBA title hopes.

Cleveland’s starting center tore his left Achilles tendon on Tuesday night in a win over Minnesota, an injury that will cost him the rest of this season and will force the Cavs to look for immediate help up front.

The Cavs said an MRI confirmed the feared tear and that Varejao will undergo surgery “in the near future.” A timetable for his return and rehab will not be established until after the operation.

The 6-foot-11 Varejao, one of the team’s most popular players, was positioning under the basket for a rebound in the third quarter when he crumpled to the floor in pain. All of Cleveland’s players and coaches came over to check on him before he was assisted off the floor without putting any weight on his leg. He left Quicken Loans Arena following the game on crutches with his leg in an immobilizing air cast.