Max Strus‘ long-anticipated season debut has once again been pushed back. The Cleveland Cavaliers have ruled Strus out for tonight’s game against Brooklyn.
Strus has been out of commission since injuring his ankle early in the preseason (November 8). He was initially expected to return for the Cavaliers’ victory over Washington on Friday night before being ruled out.
Strus was cleared to practice about a week and a half ago and sent down to the Cavaliers’ G-League team, the Cleveland Charge. The Cavaliers recalled Strus last weekend, and coach Kenny Atkinson on Thursday told Real Gambling’s Grant Afseth that Strus had been practicing well over the last few days. However, Afseth reported last week that Strus’ ankle didn’t respond well, and he wouldn’t play.
When Will Max Strus Make Season Debut and How Will He Impact A Cavaliers Team On Pace Of Setting Several Records
While it is a little concerning that Strus has yet to play after reports have indicated his return was imminent, the good news is that the 28-year-old has not suffered a setback, according to Sports Illustrated Spencer Davies.
I’m told there’s been no setback with Max Strus. Just needs more time to ramp up. With unique gap in NBA schedule, taking this week to do so.
Based on Davies’ statement, Strus could play later this week. However, there is officially no timetable for his return.
After tonight’s game against the Nets, Cleveland has three days off before starting a three-game stretch in four days. The Cavaliers host Milwaukee on December 20, Philadelphia on December 21, and Utah on December 23.
Despite not having Strus or Emoni Bates, who is out for the season, Cleveland is off to a historic start for the franchise. The Cavaliers sit atop the Eastern Conference standings at 23-4, tying the 2008-09 team for the best start in franchise history.
Cavaliers Historic Start
Cleveland, which began the season with a franchise record 15 straight wins, is 1.5 games ahead of Boston in the East and one of three NBA teams with a +10-scoring margin. The Cavaliers have three more consecutive victories after setting the franchise record for the most wins over the first 30 contests. The Cavs next three games are all at home versus Milwaukee (December 20), Philadelphia (December 21), and Utah (December 23).
Cleveland’s success this year is largely due to its relative health and depth, not to mention the Cavs’ one of the top starting units. Jarrett Allen and Georges Niang have appeared in all 26 of the Cavaliers’ games, and nine players have played in at least 20.
Cleveland has the most efficient offense and ranked second in the league, scoring at 121.5 points a game. The Cavaliers have already broken a franchise scoring record by tallying 130 points seven times, topping the previous record of five times set in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Not only are the Cavaliers on pace to set a franchise record for points per game (114.1 in 1979-80). They have other offensive records in sight.
Cleveland is the league’s best shooting team with a 50.3% field goal percentage, and their 39.9% 3-percentage tops the league. The Cavaliers records for field goal percentage is 50.2% set in 1979-80 and 3-point percentage (40.7% in 1989-90).
Cavs Strengths and Weaknesses
Cleveland is a well-rounded and balanced team. The Cavaliers are just one of three teams with a top-10 offense and defense. They are also one of a trio of clubs with a top-10 starting lineup and bench, joining Oklahoma City and Dallas as the others.
Cleveland has 10 players averaging at least 18 minutes. All 10 players average at least five points a game, and six are in double figures.
The Cavaliers’ strength is in the backcourt, led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. But the Cavaliers’ frontcourt is pretty solid, with Evan Mobley having a career year offensively and Jarrett Allen being a monster around the rim and on the glass.
That doesn’t mean the Cavaliers don’t have weaknesses, as that is the farthest from the truth.
Cleveland’s biggest issue may be its lack of size. As a result, the Cavaliers struggle on the glass. While they are an average defensive-rebounding team, they struggle on the offensive boards.
The Cavaliers are an outstanding passing team that doesn’t turn over the ball. But they are below average at drawing fouls and an average free-throw shooting team.
Despite being a perimeter-oriented team, Cleveland struggles to defend the three-point line, though it is effective at forcing turnovers.
Strus’ Role When He Returns
So, how will Strus impact the Cavs? First, the 28-year-old will make the team deeper.
Atkinson may use this extended depth by giving some of his regulars extended time off. Strus will add to the Cavs versatility thus allowing the Cavs to play small ball a little more often if Atkinson. He can play every position but center, though he is best suited at either the two or three.
Strus started all 70 appearances for the Cavaliers last season. But Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com believes that Strus will likely be on a minutes restriction and come off the bench, at least initially. Being a reserve is something that Strus is used to doing, as he has filled that role in nearly 55% of his appearances.
It’s like we signed a starting player to our team,” Atkinson told Afseth about Strus nearly a week ago. “And now we’re going to have to figure out what that integration looks like, what the progression is… It’s a discussion with our performance team [about] what the minute build-up is going to look like.”
Isaac Okoro has started most games at small forward since the beginning of November. The Cavs are 13-2, with Okoro in the first unit. Okoro, known for his defense, has shot the ball well over the last two seasons, and the Cavs have been better when he has been on the floor as a starter than when he has been off the court.
Strus’ Impact
Strus is a high-energy player known as a 3-point specialist, though he can do some of everything. He has averaged 2.5 treys over the last three seasons, though he is just an average 3-point shooter for his career.
While Strus certainly gives the Cavs another floor spacer and shot creator, he has shown the ability to be a consistent scorer. Strus has scored in double figures in 94 of his 150 appearances, topping the 20-point mark 29 times. During these two years, he has also shown the ability to rebound and facilitate the offense, compiling seven double-doubles and one triple-double.
“He’s an excellent cutter, that fits. I want to see where that goes. I’ve even seen it in practice these past two days,” Atkinson explained last week. “He had a slot cut yesterday, and I’m like, ‘There’s our cutter. There’s our guy that can slice through the defense.’
Strus is not a great defender. However, he showed improvement on that end in his first season with the Cavs, although he struggled to defend the 3-point line.
Regardless of Strus’s role when he returns, it will likely mean a reduced role for a couple of players. Sam Merrill is the most likely player to see his minutes reduced, while Ty Jerome could see a slight decrease in playing time depending on whether Atkinson decides to use a nine- or 10-man rotation on most nights.
Cavaliers Injuries
In addition to Bates and Strus, Cleveland was also without Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson against the Nets. On the plus side, Mobley returned to the floor following a one-game absence due to a left ankle sprain.
Porter’s absence marks the fourth straight game he missed due to a sprained left ankle. Porter, who demonstrated that he belonged in the league during a 51-game trial last season, has seen less than 10 minutes in 16 appearances this season.
Tyson is officially out due to an illness. The 2024 first-round pick has seen sparse action this season due to the Cavs’ depth. He has shown immense ability during the summer league and his three-game G-League stint.
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