Max Strus to miss six weeks with ankle injury
- Max Strus, a small forward for the Cavaliers, will be sidelined for at least six weeks due to a right ankle sprain sustained during individual workouts.
- This injury follows a previous hip injury he experienced during the preseason opener on October 8.
- The Cavaliers, who faced significant injury challenges last season, now face another setback with Strus's absence as they prepare for the upcoming games.
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers have announced that forward Max Strus will be absent from play for at least six weeks after suffering a right ankle injury in a recent workout. This injury is particularly significant for the Cavaliers, who struggled with numerous injuries throughout the previous season yet managed to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals. The team is clearly keen on building on that success but faces obstacles ahead of their season opener against Toronto. Strus, in his second season with the team after joining from Miami in a sign-and-trade deal, had already been dealing with a hip injury sustained during an exhibition game against the Bulls on October 8. In that match, Strus attempted to draw a charge and fell hard to the floor, resulting in a bruise. He was able to finish the game but subsequently required evaluation for the injury. The Cavaliers are set to begin their season on Wednesday and will host a home opener against Detroit, where they will face former coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The situation puts additional pressure on the team, as they need to adjust their game plan to account for Strus's extended absence. The significance of his average of 12.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game played in 70 starts last season cannot be understated. As the season unfolds, the Cavaliers' resilience will be tested once again. Their ability to cope with these injuries will play a crucial role in determining their prospects for the current season.