Max Strus, Cleveland Cavaliers
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Max Strus, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers may soon be getting a key piece of their rotation back.
Veteran wing Max Strus is approaching a return after taking one of the final steps in his recovery from offseason foot surgery, according to comments from Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Strus participated in roughly 90 percent of Friday’s practice, a major milestone as he nears his long-awaited season debut.
“It makes you feel optimistic, right? You’re starting to get whole,” Atkinson said, according to Cavaliers sideline reporter Serena Winters. “Adding Max is like adding another excellent free agent, if you look at it that way. So really trending positive.”
Max Strus Injury Recovery Progresses After Foot Surgery
Strus has yet to appear during the 2025–26 NBA season after undergoing surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot during the offseason.
The Cavaliers confirmed earlier this week that the 29-year-old forward has made significant progress in his rehabilitation.
“Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus continues his recovery following offseason surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot,” the team said in a statement. “Recent imaging has shown progressive healing, and in consultation with Dr. David Porter and team physician Dr. James Rosneck, Strus has progressed to individual on-court workouts as part of a structured ramp-up program.”
The organization indicated that Strus will gradually increase his workload through controlled team activities and practice sessions involving both the Cavaliers and their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
Cleveland’s medical and performance staff will continue to closely monitor his recovery.
Cavaliers Eye Possible Return This Weekend
With Strus now participating in nearly a full practice workload, the Cavaliers could soon see the veteran wing make his season debut.
Cleveland does not play again until Sunday, giving Strus additional time to complete the final stage of his ramp-up process.
If he is not cleared in time for that game, his next opportunity could come Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers on the second night of a back-to-back.
Either way, Strus’ return could provide a significant boost for a Cavaliers team pushing for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
Max Strus Played a Key Role Last Season
Strus has been Cleveland’s starting small forward for the past two seasons and has developed into a valuable complementary piece around the team’s core.
During the 2024–25 regular season, Strus appeared in 50 games, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 25.5 minutes per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point range.
His ability to space the floor, rebound and facilitate offense has made him an important piece for the Cavaliers.
Strus elevated his play even further during last year’s postseason run.
Across nine playoff games, he averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists, providing crucial perimeter shooting and playmaking during Cleveland’s playoff push.
The veteran wing is currently in the third season of a four-year, $63 million contract, earning approximately $15 million this season.
Cavaliers Pushing for Eastern Conference Playoff Position
Strus’ return could come at an important moment for Cleveland.
The Cavaliers currently trail the New York Knicks by just one game for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
With 19 games remaining, Cleveland has the second-softest remaining schedule in the NBA, according to Tankathon’s strength-of-schedule metrics. The Knicks, meanwhile, have the fourth-softest schedule remaining.
Getting Strus back in the lineup could strengthen Cleveland’s wing depth and perimeter shooting as the team battles for playoff positioning.
Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade Also Trending Toward Return
The Cavaliers also received encouraging injury news elsewhere.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who has missed Cleveland’s last four games due to a groin injury, was a full participant in Friday’s practice.
Forward Dean Wade also returned as a full participant after dealing with an ankle issue.
With both Mitchell and Strus nearing full health, Cleveland could soon be approaching full strength at a critical point in the season.
For the Cavaliers, the potential return of Strus represents more than just another healthy player — it could feel like adding a new contributor just in time for the playoff race.