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.
