Cavaliers’ Swingman Faces Lengthy Recovery from Ankle Sprain, Impacting Team’s Season Start

In a troubling turn of events for the Cleveland Cavaliers, veteran swingman Max Strus has sprained his right ankle during individual workouts on Thursday. The team confirmed that Strus underwent both an X-ray and an MRI to assess the injury’s severity. The results indicate a significant sprain, leading the Cavaliers to establish a treatment and rehabilitation plan for the next six weeks.

This timeline means Strus is expected to miss all of November, along with the remainder of this month. During his absence, the Cavaliers will play 20 games, a crucial stretch for a team eager to build on last season’s success.

Strus’s injury comes on the heels of him recovering from a right hip contusion that had already sidelined him for part of the preseason. The 28-year-old swingman seemed poised to return for the Cavaliers’ regular-season opener, making this setback all the more disappointing for him and the organization. Last season, Strus played a pivotal role for Cleveland, starting in 70 regular-season games and contributing in 12 playoff appearances.

Signed to a four-year, $62 million contract during free agency, Strus was a reliable contributor in his first year with the Cavaliers, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, all while shooting 35.1% from beyond the arc. His absence will be keenly felt as the Cavaliers aim to establish themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference.

With Strus out of the lineup, the Cavaliers are likely to turn to sixth man Caris LeVert, who could step into a starting role to help fill the scoring void. Other players such as Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Georges Niang, and Ty Jerome may also see increased responsibilities as the team adjusts to Strus’s absence.

As the Cavaliers prepare to navigate this challenging stretch without one of their key players, fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for Strus, who has quickly become an integral part of Cleveland’s roster.