Jorge Sedano explains that Tristan Thompson's calf injury, which could cause him to miss a month, will make the Cavaliers' slow start even harder to overcome. (1:39)

Thompson injury will make it harder for Cavs to jell (1:39)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson is expected to miss three to four weeks with a calf strain, the team said Thursday.

Thompson left Wednesday night's game against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter and didn't return.

Thompson, 26, exited the arena on crutches with his left leg in a brace and underwent an MRI on Thursday. He is averaging 4.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in eight games this season.

Jae Crowder will replace Thompson in the starting lineup, and coach Tyronn Lue said Channing Frye will get another shot in the rotation.

Frye is averaging just 2.9 points in 5.7 minutes per game, down from 9.1 points in 18.9 minutes per game a season ago. In the Cavs' last win, a 119-112 victory over Chicago on Oct. 24, Frye scored eight points on 3-for-3 shooting in seven minutes.

The Cavaliers' 124-107 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday was their fourth straight defeat.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.