Cavaliers F Max Strus (ankle) to make season debut Friday

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus is expected to make his season debut on Friday after battling an ankle injury, RG first reported Tuesday.

The Cavaliers, 21-4 without Strus, host the Washington Wizards on Friday. Strus will play barring any setbacks, ESPN added Wednesday.

Strus injured the ankle during individual workouts in mid-October.

The 28-year-old Strus averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 70 starts last season in his first campaign with the Cavaliers. He made 168 3-point baskets last season.

Strus spent his previous three seasons with the Miami Heat and emerged as a reliable bench player and part-time starter. He departed as a free agent after the 2022-23 season and joined the Cavaliers as part of a sign-and-trade with the Heat.

Strus has career averages of 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 259 games (119 starts) in five seasons with the Chicago Bulls (2019-20), Heat (2020-23) and Cavaliers.

–Field Level Media