Clevland Cavaliers PF/C Tristan Thompson to miss 3-4 weeks 

What's the story?

ESPN's Dave McMenamin is reporting that Cleveland Cavaliers' power forward / center Tristan Thompson will miss three to four weeks due to a calf injury.

In case you didn't know...

Thompson is currently in his seventh NBA season, all with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was drafted fourth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Texas where he played one season. In the 2010-11 season, he was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, as well as second-team All-Big 12.

The heart of the matter...

Thompson underwent an MRI on Thursday that revealed that he suffered a calf strain. After Wednesday night's game with the Indiana Pacers, he was seen leaving the arena on crutches.

On the season, Thompson was averaging 4.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. A majority of his minutes will be taken over by Jae Crowder. Crowder was acquired in the trade alongside Isaiah Thomas that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics.

What's next?

The Cleveland Cavaliers (3-5) are currently struggling out of the gate but will look to turn it around this Friday against the Washington Wizards (4-3) on a game that will be televised on ESPN.

Author's take...

The injury is going to force Cleveland to play with a much smaller lineup with Crowder replacing him, but playing a small-ball lineup could spark the Cavaliers who have stumbled to start the season. Thompson wasn't really producing big numbers on the season, so the team may not miss him as he's averaging more than two rebounds less than his career average.