Through 22 games in 2025-26, the Cavaliers are 13-9. Last season, the team finished 64-18. Cleveland has already lost half as many games as it did in 2024-25.
Key players have missed time early in the year due to injury. That includes SF Max Strus. The 29-year-old has yet to suit up in 2025-26 for Cleveland. Strus suffered a Jones fracture in his foot during an offseason workout. Brian Windhorst made an appearance on ESPN Cleveland and discussed that Strus is on the verge of returning. He noted that Max Strus is “weeks away, not months away.”
The Cavaliers could use the production of Max Strus in the lineup
“The word I’m hearing on Max is that he’s weeks away, not months away,” – @WindhorstESPN on Max Strus’ return to the Cavs 👀 pic.twitter.com/kijgQy7GHG
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 3, 2025
At this point in the season, Cleveland will take any help it can get. Jarrett Allen is out one week due to a finger injury. Darius Garland is playing through a toe injury that has limited his effectiveness. Additionally, Larry Nance is out 3-4 weeks due to a calf strain. On top of that, SF Max Strus has yet to make his season debut for the Cavs. Strus is working his way back onto the court from a Jones fracture in his foot.
The Jones fracture happened during an offseason workout in August. Cleveland has given limited updates on Strus’ recovery timeline. However, one media member shared an update on Wednesday. Brian Windhorst grew up in Akron, Ohio, and covered the Cavaliers as a beat reporter for many years. He has connections to the team.
REPORT: Max Strus is said to be “weeks” away from returning, NOT “months,” per @WindhorstESPN
“Max is apparently, from what I am told, dying to get back out on the court” 👀
(via @ESPNCleveland) pic.twitter.com/CYBtNvHJYl
— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) December 3, 2025
Windhorst gave a positive injury update for Max Strus on Wednesday via ESPN Cleveland. He said that Strus is “weeks away, not months away” from making his season debut. ESPN’s senior insider believed the All-Star break was a time for his targeted return. After hearing new information, Windhorst shared an update fans had been waiting to hear.
To begin the 2025-26 season, DeAndre Hunter has started at SF for Cleveland. In his two seasons with the Cavs, Max Strus has started 107 of 120 games. Head coach Kenny Atkinson could bring Max Strus off the bench in a sixth-man type of role for the Cavaliers.
He’s a valued member of the roster. Strus can space the floor effectively and shoot from the perimeter with efficiency. With Brian Windhorst’s latest update, there’s a chance Strus returns to the lineup before the New Year.
