Cavaliers F Max Strus (ankle) to miss at least six weeks

Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Max Strus will miss at least six weeks due to a sprained right ankle.

Strus injured the ankle during individual workouts on Thursday, according to the Cavaliers. An X-ray and MRI exam confirmed the severity of the injury.

Strus will undergo treatment and rehab work for six weeks and then will be reassessed.

Strus was slowed by a hip injury earlier in the preseason.

The 28-year-old Strus averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 70 games 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.

Cleveland opens the season on Wednesday against the host Toronto Raptors.

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