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Max Strus of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after making a three-point shot during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 11, 2025 in New York City.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will have to wait a little longer for Max Strus’ long-anticipated season debut.
Cleveland officially ruled out the veteran wing for Sunday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics, delaying what had appeared to be an imminent return from offseason foot surgery.
Even so, the Cavaliers remain optimistic that Strus is nearing the finish line of his rehabilitation process after recently taking one of the final steps toward a return.
Strus participated in roughly 90 percent of Friday’s practice, a significant milestone in his recovery, according to Cavaliers sideline reporter Serena Winters.
“It makes you feel optimistic, right? You’re starting to get whole,” Cleveland coach Kenny 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.”
With Cleveland pushing toward the postseason, the team appears determined to ensure Strus is fully ready before clearing him for game action.
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.
Earlier this week, the Cavaliers confirmed the 29-year-old forward had made meaningful 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 Cavaliers indicated Strus would continue gradually increasing his workload through controlled team activities and practice sessions involving both the NBA club and its G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
Cleveland’s medical and performance staff will continue closely monitoring his recovery as he approaches clearance.
Cavaliers Could Target Sixers Game for Max Strus Debut
With Strus now participating in nearly a full practice workload, his season debut could arrive soon — just not Sunday against Boston.
The next opportunity for Strus to return could come Monday when the Cavaliers face the Philadelphia 76ers on the second night of a back-to-back.
Cleveland’s cautious approach reflects both the seriousness of a Jones fracture and the importance of Strus to the team’s long-term plans this season.
For a Cavaliers team fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, the return of a proven two-way wing could provide a timely boost.
Max Strus Played Key Role in Cavaliers’ Rotation
Strus has served as Cleveland’s starting small forward for much of the past two seasons and has developed into an important complementary piece around the team’s core.
During the 2024–25 regular season, Strus appeared in 50 games and averaged 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 a versatile contributor in Cleveland’s system.
Strus elevated his impact during last season’s postseason as well. Across nine playoff games, he averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists while providing valuable perimeter shooting and secondary playmaking.
The veteran wing is currently in the third season of a four-year contract worth roughly $63 million and is earning approximately $15 million this season.
Cavaliers Battling Knicks for Eastern Conference Positioning
Strus’ return could arrive at a critical moment in Cleveland’s season.
The Cavaliers currently trail the New York Knicks by just one game for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference as the playoff race tightens.
With only 19 games remaining, Cleveland holds the second-softest remaining schedule in the NBA according to Tankathon’s strength-of-schedule metrics. The Knicks, meanwhile, have the fourth-softest schedule left.
Getting Strus back in the lineup could strengthen Cleveland’s wing depth and perimeter shooting as the team tries to secure home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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