Cleveland Cavaliers Lose Key Starter For Extended Period

Brutal news for the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into the season, as they'll be without key sharpshooter Max Strus for at least the first six weeks of the season due to an injury at practice.

Cavs say Max Strus will miss at least six weeks due to a right ankle sprain.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2024

Strus suffered a right ankle sprain during individual workouts on Thursday. The team says he will be reassessed after six weeks of treatment and rehabilitation. The 6'5" small forward also battled a hip injury during the preseason.

The six-week absence (and then ramp-up) will cost Strus at least the first 20 games of the season for Cleveland.

The 28-year-old had a career year in his first season with the Cavs last year, posting personal bests of 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists while starting all 70 games he played, and averaged 32 minutes, also a career-high.

After spending the previous three years with the Miami Heat as a key reserve, the Cavaliers signed him to a four-year, $62M deal in free agency in the summer of 2023 and immediately inserted him into the starting lineup.

Caris LeVert is the most likely candidate to move into the starting five in Strus's absence.