Varejao's season is over: Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao has been holding out hope that he would be able to return sometime this season from a wrist injury suffered at the beginning of February, however with games running out and Varejao's rehabilitation coming along slower than expected, the team announced on Friday that he would be unable to return for the year. (Updated 04/20/2012)
Injury Report
Wrist - Out for season (Updated - 4/23/12)
Fantasy Analysis
That makes two seasons in a row that the 29-year-old center has suffered a season-ending injury, and both have come while he was in the midst of the best seasons of his career. Varejao was playing terrific basketball before the injury this season, averaging 10.8 points and 11.5 rebounds in just 31.4 minutes per game, while developing a solid rapport with rookie point guard Kyrie Irving. He will now have all offseason to rest, and he expected to be healthy in time for the Olympics in July. If he plays in the Olympics and makes it through unscathed, that would be a very good sign for his health, so watch his progress in the offseason and consider him a mid-round pick on Draft Day. (Updated 04/20/2012).
04/15/2012 21:03 Magic top Cavs, clinch playoff berth
Jameer Nelson scored 21 points and the Orlando Magic clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a 100-84 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.
Anderson Varejao's 2010-11 campaign was a short one. He played in only 31 games after suffering a torn tendon in right ankle back in January. However, he was productive during his short time on the floor, averaging a career-best 9.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest. He also shot better than 50 percent from the field (52.8) for the third straight season and saw more than 30 minutes a night for the first time in his career. While Cleveland is still in the process of remaking their roster, Varejao is expected to be a big part of the team's future. He is expected to once again be inserted in the starting lineup and should be able to at the very least retain his value from last year. The fact that the 29-year-old proved capable of posting a double-double on a nightly basis makes him an intriguing option heading into next season. However, he will be a slight injury risk after undergoing surgery to repair the tendon in his ankle. While he is expected to be ready by the start of the regular season, there is always a chance his recovery takes more time. Still, if he can return at 100 percent, Fantasy owners should view him as mid-round selection on Draft Day. He holds more value in formats that allow dual eligibility. (Updated 8/29/11)
