Strus recorded 11 points (3-10 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, six assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Monday's 125-118 loss to the Raptors.
Strus made his season debut after being sidelined since the preseason opener due to a foot injury. The veteran wing wasn't shy and made an impact across the box score. Strus' playing time should tick up, and he might even enter the starting lineup as he gets further removed from the injury.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Cleared to return
Rotowire
Strus (foot) will return Monday against the Raptors.
Strus, who has been sidelined since the preseason opener, officially has the green light to return following a brief G League stint. Given how long he was out, the Clippers are likely to ease him back into things.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Recalled by parent team
Rotowire
The Clippers recalled Strus (foot) from the G League's San Diego Clippers on Sunday.
Strus spent the weekend on assignment with San Diego as he continued to work in overcoming a partially torn plantar fascia that has prevented him from making his season debut. Following a considerable absence, he may initially play at the G League level, looking to get back on track before offering the NBA squad a reliable second-unit contributor of points and rebounds.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Practices with G League team Saturday
Rotowire
Strus (foot) practiced and participated in 5-on-5 with the San Diego Clippers on Saturday, Los Angeles Clippers sideline reporter/host Ohm Youngmisuk reports.
Strus continues to progress in his recovery from a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot suffered in the Clippers' preseason opener. He'll keep working with the G League affiliate and will likely play his first minutes of the season there before he's cleared to return to the NBA level.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Progressing in recovery
Rotowire
Strus (foot) is making progress but is set to miss at least one more week, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
Strus sustained a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot in the Clippers' preseason opener but is seemingly nearing a return to game action. Gradey Dick and Kobe Sanders will likely continue seeing increased playing time for as long as Strus and Brandon Ingram (Achilles) are sidelined.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Will be re-evaluated in four weeks
Rotowire
Strus has been diagnosed with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot and he will be re-evaluated in four weeks, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
Plantar fascia injuries can be tricky to recover from, with the only remedy typically being prolonged rest, so don't be surprised if Strus' absence extends well beyond this initial four-week window. With Strus now set to miss at least the first few weeks of the season, and Bradley Beal (knee) uncertain for opening night, Keaton Wagler could be thrust into the first unit sooner than expected.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Strus will not return to Sunday's preseason game against the Warriors due to a right foot injury, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
Strus appeared to tweak his foot while making a cut in the first quarter. Keaton Wagler figures to see more playing time with Strus out.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Heads to locker room Sunday
Rotowire
Strus exited Sunday's preseason game against the Warriors due to an apparent right ankle injury, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.
Strus exited in the first quarter straight to the locker room, seemingly favoring his right foot or ankle. Keaton Wagler could see some extra run if Strus is unable to return.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Strus is in the starting lineup for Sunday's preseason opener against the Warriors, but he will only be available for the first half of play, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Strus has the edge to start over Keaton Wagler to begin the season, as he has chemistry with Darius Garland from their time together in Cleveland. With Brandon Ingram (Achilles) and Bradley Beal (knee) banged up, Strus should see an expanded role with the Clippers.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Expanded role incoming?
Rotowire
Strus could be in line for an expanded role to begin the season with Brandon Ingram sidelined while recovering from a partially torn Achilles and right heel surgery.
The Clippers haven't established a timetable for Ingram's return, opening additional minutes on the wing for Strus. The veteran's perimeter shooting makes him one of the more logical options to absorb some of Ingram's playing time while Los Angeles waits for its new forward to return.
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Clippers' Max Strus: Traded to Clippers
Rotowire
Strus was traded to the Clippers on Wednesday in exchange for Peyton Watson, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Strus will bring some perimeter shooting to Los Angeles and will likely be operating in a reserve role, helping to back up Brandon Ingram. Strus converted 40.2 percent of his three-point attempts over 12 regular-season contests last season, averaging 2.8 triples per game.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Struggles in season finale
Rotowire
Strus supplied five points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes during Monday's 130-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Strus simply couldn't find any rhythm, scoring single digits for the fifth time in the past six games. Although he was able to provide the Cavaliers with a strong defensive presence, his offensive output left a lot to be desired. In seven games over the past two weeks, he averaged just 9.4 points, 1.0 steals and 2.4 three-pointers.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting Game 4
Rotowire
Strus is in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks on Monday.
Strus has come off the bench in each of the first three games of the series, but he provided a spark in Game 3 by scoring 13 points on four treys, earning him a look with the first unit. Dean Wade will retreat to the bench with Strus sliding into the starting five.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Retreats to bench in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
Strus had eight points (2-6 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 115-104 overtime loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Strus shifted back to the bench after starting in Game 7 against the Pistons. Despite the demotion, he still managed to play meaningful minutes, logging at least 25 minutes for the ninth straight game. While he has been on the floor when it matters, Strus' production has been less than ideal on most nights. He has scored double digits only once in the past seven games, struggling to find his rhythm from the perimeter.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting Game 7
Rotowire
Strus will start Sunday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pistons.
Strus will get the starting nod over Dean Wade in Sunday's win-or-go-home matchup. Strus has averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.2 minutes per contest over six second-round appearances.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Drops 20 points in Game 5 win
Rotowire
Strus chipped in 20 points (6-8 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 36 minutes during Wednesday's 117-113 overtime win over the Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Strus delivered when it mattered most, scoring at least 20 points for just the second time this postseason, having dropped 24 points in the opening game against the Raptors. He also chipped in across all major categories, providing the Cavaliers with energy on both ends of the floor. In 12 playoff appearances, Strus has averaged 10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 three-pointers in 26.6 minutes per contest.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Scores 19 off bench
Rotowire
Strus closed Tuesday's 111-101 loss to the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 19 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal across 28 minutes.
Strus comfortably led the bench in scoring Tuesday, with the rest of the second unit combining for 16 points. Through eight postseason games, Strus is shooting 47.6 percent from the field with averages of 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Passive performance Friday
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Strus ended Friday's 112-110 overtime loss to the Raptors in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with six points (2-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five rebounds and three assists across 20 minutes.
Strus scored in single digits for the fifth time in the past six games. Despite starting the past two games, Strus has been unable to provide the team with anything of note, scoring a total of 14 points, including two three-pointers. Friday's loss means both teams will now head back to Cleveland for Game 7, with the winner advancing to face either Detroit or Orlando.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Strus will start Wednesday's Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Raptors, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
After shooting 0-for-5 from the field across 21 minutes of action in Sunday's Game 4 loss, Strus will get the starting nod over Dean Wade on Wednesday. As a starter during the 2025-26 regular season (five games), Strus averaged 10.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.6 minutes per tilt.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Ice cold in loss Sunday
Rotowire
Strus chipped in one point (0-5 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and seven rebounds over 21 minutes during Sunday's 93-89 loss to the Raptors in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Strus missed all five of his shot attempts, turning in a disappointing performance on both ends of the floor. His production thus far has been sporadic, going for 24 points and 15 points in Games 1 and 3, while managing just six points and one point in Games 2 and 4, respectively. Both teams will now travel back to Cleveland for Game 5, where the Cavaliers will look to bounce back after consecutive losses on the road.
