Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus will be sidelined for at least another month as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on his broken left foot, the team announced Tuesday.
Max Strus Recovering From Jones Fracture
Strus underwent surgery on Aug. 26 to repair the Jones fracture he suffered during offseason training. The Cavaliers announced then that he would miss approximately three to four months.
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.
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 6, 2026
However, the Cavs said a recent evaluation and imaging showed additional time was required for the fracture to fully heal. Athletes typically resume normal activities in three to four months after surgery, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Strus will have a follow-up evaluation within the next four weeks.
Cavaliers Acquired Strus From Heat
Strus, 29, joined the Cavaliers on a four-year, $63 million sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat in July 2023.
He played 70 games (all starts) for the Cavs in the 2023-24 season, averaging a career-best 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per contest while shooting 41.8% from the floor and 35.1% from deep.
The undrafted wing was also hurt to start the 2024-25 campaign due to a right ankle sprain he suffered during workouts. He initially sustained a hip contusion early in the preseason and was nearing a return from that injury.
Strus ended up missing the first two months of the season.
In 50 games (37 starts) with the Cavs last season, Strus averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 25.5 minutes per contest while shooting 44.2% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point territory.
With Strus on the court, the Cavs outscored opponents by 7.9 points per 100 possessions.
In Cleveland’s 132-119 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on March 18, 2025, he recorded a season-high 24 points on 8-of-12 (66.7%) shooting from the floor and 5-for-8 (62.5%) from beyond the arc.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson is expected to move De’Andre Hunter to a reserve role and insert Strus back into the starting lineup as a small forward when he returns.
The Cavaliers visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
