The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to be a strong contender to reach the NBA Finals in 2025-26, but they may be starting the campaign without at least one of their starters.
According to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, sharpshooting wing Max Strus suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot during offseason training and has undergone surgery that will keep him out for three to four months.
Amico also reminded us that All-Star guard Darius Garland might also miss the start of the 2025-26 season.
“It was recently revealed that starting point guard Darius Garland is likely to miss training camp and the first few weeks of the season,” Amico wrote.
“Garland underwent surgery on a big toe injury suffered during the playoffs. So coach Kenny Atkinson will be down two players who started last season to tip off 2025-26.”
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Strus is a former member of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. He used to mock the former franchise on social media for cutting him, particularly when his Heat beat the Celtics in a playoff series.
To Strus’ credit, he’s evolved into a much better player than virtually anyone expected when he came into the league undrafted out of DePaul.
Injuries are a recent theme for Strus, however. He missed the first 15 games of last season for Cleveland and ended up missing 32 games overall.
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A career 36.8 percent shooter from three, Strus averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for the Cavaliers last season. At six-foot-five with deceptive lateral quickness and surprising strength, Strus is a better defender than people give him credit for, especially when you factor in his hard-nosed mentality and fiery competitiveness.
Strus is the kind of guy you love having on your team but hate seeing on the other side. He’ll be an integral part of the Cavs next season once he gets his body back to 100 percent.