Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavs center Chris Andersen out for season with torn ACL

Published Dec. 16, 2016 10:49 p.m. ET

CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers center Chris Andersen has torn a ligament in his right knee and will require season-ending surgery.

The Cavs announced the injury in a statement Friday night. Cleveland says Andersen was injured during practice earlier in the day, and an MRI revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The team will have a better idea of his recovery time following surgery.

The 38-year-old Andersen signed a one-year contract with Cleveland for the veteran's minimum in July. He was brought in to shore up a thin frontcourt after the Cavs lost backup center Timofey Mozgov to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.

Andersen has averaged 2.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 9.5 minutes in 12 games this season.