"Cavaliers centre Anderson Varejao will miss the rest of the season after developing a blood clot in his lower right lung.

Varejao, who underwent surgery on a torn leg muscle on Jan. 10, remains hospitalized at The Cleveland Clinic. The Cavs said he was admitted last Thursday and will likely remain there for several more days as he receives treatment. Varejao is expected to make a full recovery but he will remain on blood thinning medication for at least three months, the team said Monday.

Losing the 6-foot-11 Varejao is a crushing blow to the young Cavs, who are just 10-32.

Varejao was leading the NBA in rebounding and having an All-Star season before he injured his leg on Dec. 18 against Toronto. The team initially thought the injury was just a bruise and expected Varejao to make a quick recovery. However, tests revealed a split in his quadriceps muscle which required an operation. Varejao was expected to be out eight weeks before he developed the blood clot.