Cavaliers forward Max Strus out 3-4 months following left foot surgery

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus is expected to miss at least three to four months following surgery to repair a Jones fracture (fifth metatarsal) in his left foot, the team announced Tuesday. Strus was injured during offseason training.

It is the second significant injury already for the Cavs, who will also be without All-Star point guard Darius Garland to start the year. Garland had surgery in June to repair a left big toe injury that hindered him in the playoffs.

Strus averaged 9.4 points and shot 39 percent from 3-point range last season, where he missed the first two months with a severe ankle sprain.

The Cavs, who won a conference-best 64 games last season before falling to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals, open the regular season Oct. 22 at the New York Knicks.

Jones fractures have proven to be tricky for NBA players. Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant was limited to just 27 games during the 2014-15 season after a Jones fracture required two separate surgeries. Durant initially tried returning after about two months and ultimately needed a second procedure. Zion Williamson missed more than a year following a Jones fracture in 2021 due mostly to complications during rehab.

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