Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter Max Strus has not made his debut in the 2024-25 season due to an ankle injury.
Strus was reportedly expected to return on Friday against the Washington Wizards, but he ended up getting ruled out for that matchup. Then, the Cavs ruled Strus out for Monday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.
However, according to Cavs reporter Spencer Davies, Strus has not suffered a setback in his recovery from his ankle injury.
I’m told there’s been no setback with Max Strus. Just needs more time to ramp up. With unique gap in NBA schedule, taking this week to do so. #Cavs https://t.co/cs2qLE5vhL
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) December 15, 2024
That’s good news for the Cavs, who currently hold the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 22-4 record.
Strus’ eventual return should provide Cleveland with a massive boost on the wing, especially when it comes to 3-point shooting.
Last season, Strus appeared in 70 games for the Cavs (starting all of them) and averaged 32.0 minutes per game. The former Miami Heat forward finished the 2023-24 season averaging 12.2 points per game (a career-high) while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from 3. He also added 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game last season (both career-highs). It was a strong showing from Strus after the Cavs brought him in in the offseason prior to the 2023-24 campaign.
During his time in Miami, Strus had a season (the 2021-22 campaign) where he shot 41.0 percent from 3. If he can return to that form with the Cavs, he’d be an indispensable weapon next to Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen on offense.
Despite Strus’ absence, the Cavs have thrived to start the 2024-25 season under new head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Players like Dean Wade, Isaac Okoro, Ty Jerome and Caris LeVert have all stepped up and played key roles for Cleveland this season.
It’s unclear if Strus will return to the starting lineup once the Cavs deem that he’s ready to go from his ankle injury, as he’s yet to play in a regular-season game for Atkinson.
The Cavs take on the Nets at 7:30 p.m. EST on Monday before they have a few days off. Cleveland’s next game after taking on Brooklyn will be on Friday, Dec. 20 against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
That game will be Strus’ next chance to make his 2024-25 season debut.
