Max Strus Is Close To Making Season Debut
Cleveland is sitting comfortably in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 40-26 record. The Cavaliers are also very much in striking distance of earning a top-three seed and possibly being a two-seed. They are 1.5 games back of New York and 3.5 behind Boston after falling to Orlando 128-122.
Before last night’s game, the Cavaliers got some good news on the injury front. According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Strus is currently on assignment with the G-League Cleveland Charge.
“As the #Cavs are currently on this two-game road trip, injured Max Strus is back in Cleveland, on assignment with the Charge for the next few days, putting the finishing touches (he and the team hope) on this return-to-play process,” Fedor tweeted yesterday.
Strus, who is still recovering from August foot surgery, practiced with the Charge for the second time in three days. Strus is expected to practice with the Charge today, and perhaps on Friday, Fedor added. He has been doing on-court activities since the beginning of the month. However, he will have to avoid setbacks and have a doctor’s appointment before being ultimately cleared.
While it is unlikely to happen, it does make sense for Strus to get some run with the Charge when they host the Santa Cruz Warriors on Friday and Saturday night. Even if Strus doesn’t play more than five minutes a game with the Charge, he would get the juices flowing and start getting the rust off.
“While the organization has not yet identified a potential debut date and there has been no official change in his playing status,” Fedor remarked. “Strus’ participation with the Charge marks a critical step in his recovery, allowing him to increase exertion, build stamina, take contact and test his surgically repaired foot in a controlled environment during a congested stretch of the NBA schedule that limits the Cavaliers’ practice days.”
If everything goes well, Strus could make his season debut on Sunday against Dallas. The 29-year-old is expected to be on a minutes restriction when he does return.
