CLEVELAND, Ohio — Injured sharpshooter Max Strus shed his walking boot — for one day — and slowly walked around the court during the Cavs’ annual media day on Monday morning.
Now five weeks removed from surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot, Strus offered a brief glimpse into his recovery.
“I’m not going to put a timetable on my return,” Strus said, revealing that he has a six-week check-up at some point next week. “Hopefully start the recovery and get-back process from there. I’m in a good spot right now. Everything seems to be healing.”
Strus suffered the injury during a late-August offseason workout in Chicago, leaving the Cavs without a key member of the starting lineup for an indefinite period of time.
“I was just working out and went to jump off my foot and it cracked,” Strus explained. “Kind of unlucky and unfortunate. But we’re here now and dealing with it. I will be alright.”
The procedure was performed by Dr. David Porter in consultation with Cavaliers team physician Dr. James Rosneck at Forte Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Indianapolis. At the time of the operation, it was revealed that Strus would resume basketball-related activities in about three to four months while needing an extended ramp-up window before he receives clearance for a season debut. Strus could miss nearly half the regular season.
“It’s not easy,” Strus said of his latest injury setback. “Just take it day by day. I know I will be alright in the end because of the work I put in and how seriously I take my rehab. I’ve been going at it every single day and trying to push every single day without being stupid. Pushing myself to the fullest.
“I will be ready when the time comes. I can’t wait for that moment. The optimism is still there. The positive vibe is still there. I still want to be around this group and be able to contribute at a high level. It sucks right now. But it will be fine in the long run.”
Following a 64-win regular season and second-round playoff exit, the retooled Cavs enter this season as one of the Eastern Conference favorites. But replacing Strus — a full-time starter who averaged 9.4 points on 44.2% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point range in 50 games last year — won’t be easy.
Since signing a four-year contract with the Cavaliers in the summer of 2023, Strus has started 107 games, including all 21 in the playoffs. Despite the midseason acquisition of versatile swingman De’Andre Hunter, the 29-year-old Strus was set to be the Opening Night starter at small forward once again, with coach Kenny Atkinson repeatedly raving about Strus’ stylistic fit alongside the Core Four — Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland spent the offseason fortifying the roster, with a handful of shrewd roster moves — trading for Lonzo Ball, signing free agent Larry Nance Jr., drafting Tyrese Proctor and extending Sam Merrill — that could help them survive Strus’ lengthy absence.
“We have a lot of guys who are going to be able to step up. It’s going to be a next-man-up mentality,” Strus said. “Who knows? It’s early in the season. Going to be a lot of growing pains and guys figuring out where they can fit in. I think they will be fine. A lot of guys will be able to step up and fill the void.”