Sources: Cavs guard J.R. Smith needs surgery on thumb
— -- Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith will need surgery on his thumb and will be out an extended period, sources told ESPN.
The typical recovery time from such an injury is 4-6 weeks.
Smith exited the first half of Tuesday's 114-108 overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Initial X-rays taken at the arena were inconclusive, according to the Cavs. Smith traveled back to Cleveland with the team to be re-evaluated Wednesday before the Cavs host the Bucks on a second night of a back-to-back.
Smith, who signed a four-year, $57 million extension with Cleveland in the offseason after the Cavs' championship win, was averaging 8.8 points on 33.7 percent shooting (35.8 percent from 3) coming into Tuesday.
He previously missed six games because of knee and ankle injuries this season.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue was unsure of how Smith injured his thumb, however Cavs' broadcast partner Fox Sports Ohio reported it occurred when he swiped down on the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.
DeAndre Liggins started the second half against Milwaukee in Smith's place.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.
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