Andrew Bogut (knee) won't play in Finals but won't need surgery

— -- CLEVELAND --  Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut avoided a major knee injury but will be out the rest of the NBA Finals, the Warriors announced Wednesday.

Bogut will not require surgery but is projected to be out from six to eight weeks. 

An MRI Tuesday revealed Bogut suffered bone bruises to his proximal tibia and distal femur, two major bones in the leg. The injury happened in a collision with the Cleveland Cavaliers' J.R. Smith in Monday's Game 5.

Bogut contested a shot in the lane by Smith, who ran into Bogut's fully extended knee. He was walking very gingerly as he left the arena Monday night.

Bogut had traveled to Cleveland for Thursday's Game 6, where the Warriors have another chance to close out the Cavaliers and win their second NBA title in a row.

Bogut had five blocks in the Warriors' Game 2 victory but his role had been limited during the series. He only averaged 12 minutes per game, putting up 3.2 points and three rebounds per game. He averaged 4.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 22 postseason games.

The Warriors are expected to start either Draymond Green at center with Andre Iguodala added to the starting lineup or start backup center Fetus Ezeli in Game 6.

"I've been in this position before; be aggressive," Ezeli told The Undefeated's Marc Spears. "Especially on the boards and in the paint. We win that way."

Bogut will be in the final year of his contract next season and is scheduled to earn $11 million.

His updated status was first reported by NBA.com.