The Cleveland Cavaliers will kick off the 2024-25 season without one of their standout players.
Star forward and sharpshooter Max Strus will be sidelined for at least six weeks due to a right ankle sprain.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
This update was shared by ESPN’s Shams Charania on X.
Strus was already nursing a hip injury, but he aggravated his situation during a workout on Thursday. A subsequent X-ray and MRI confirmed the severity of the ankle sprain, prompting the team to announce a six-week reassessment timeline on Saturday.
Cavs say Max Strus will miss at least six weeks due to a right ankle sprain.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2024
The 28-year-old was anticipated to be ready for Opening Night but will now miss several weeks, pushing his return to early December. In his absence, the Cavaliers will count on Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, and Dean Wade to fill the gap.
Strus had previously missed two preseason games due to a hip contusion and could not play in the preseason finale against the Chicago Bulls because of the ankle issue. Last season, his first with the Cavs, he played in 70 regular season games and 12 playoff outings before the Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics.
This injury is a significant setback for the Cavs. Darius Garland had recently highlighted how new head coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the importance of three-point shooting, indicating Strus was key to the team’s strategy.
“Kenny’s a big three-point attempt guy,” Garland mentioned. “So we try to get as many threes as we can… He’s been on me and [Donovan Mitchell] about those in transition as well, even Max [Strus] when he’s open.”
Strus enjoyed a career-best season in Cleveland last year, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.1% from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers hope to build on their momentum from last season in 2024-25.
According to Fan Duel Sportsbook, they currently hold the 12th best odds for the 2025 NBA title, tied with the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers at +4000.
The Cavaliers begin their season against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
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