Basketball is a game of rhythm, but for Max Strus, the 2025-26 season has been anything but melodic. If you’ve been scouring the box scores looking for Max Strus last 10 games, you might have noticed something weird. The stat line is blank. Completely empty.
No, he didn't suddenly forget how to play. Honestly, it’s much more frustrating than that.
The Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter hasn't actually touched the floor yet this season. While fans were expecting his return to ignite a Cavs offense that’s been hovering around the .500 mark (currently 22-19 as of mid-January), the latest medical updates have thrown a bucket of cold water on those hopes. As of January 13, 2026, Strus is still recovering from a persistent left foot injury—a Jones fracture, to be specific—that he suffered way back in the 2025 offseason.
The Reality of Max Strus Last 10 Games (Or Lack Thereof)
It’s kinda crazy to think about, but the last time we saw Strus in meaningful action was during the 2024-25 playoffs. If you look at his "last 10 games" played overall, you’re actually looking at a time capsule from the end of the previous season.
In those final stretches of 2024-25, Strus was doing exactly what the Cavs paid him to do. He was averaging about 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. His efficiency was solid, too—hitting around 44% from the field and showing that he’s more than just a guy who stands in the corner and waits for a pass. He was a secondary playmaker, a guy who kept the ball moving when Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland got trapped.
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But the 2025-26 campaign has been a ghost town for him.
On January 6, 2026, the Cavs dropped a bit of a bombshell. They announced that while his foot is technically "making progress," it’s not ready for NBA-level stress. He’s scheduled for another evaluation in early February. Basically, this means his "last 10 games" for the current season don't exist, and they likely won't exist until after the All-Star break.
Why the Cavs Are Feeling the Void
You sort of take a guy like Max Strus for granted until he’s gone. The Cavs currently rank 4th in the league in points per game (119.8), which sounds great on paper. But they’re also 21st in points allowed. They’re winning shootouts, but they’re losing the grit.
Strus isn't just a shooter; he’s a "glue guy."
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- Size at the Wing: At 6'5", he’s not a giant, but he plays bigger.
- The Gravity Effect: When Max is on the court, defenders can’t leave him. This opens up lanes for Evan Mobley to do his thing in the paint.
- Playmaking: His 3.2 assists per game last year were a career-high. He’s learned how to use the threat of his shot to find open teammates.
Without him, Cleveland has been forced to lean heavily on guys like De'Andre Hunter and Sam Merrill. Hunter has actually been a revelation, providing more size and defensive versatility, but he doesn't have that "instant heat" capability that Strus brings. Merrill is a knockdown shooter, sure, but he lacks the defensive physical profile that Kenny Atkinson wants in the starting five.
The "Jones Fracture" Problem
We should talk about the injury itself because it’s a tricky one. A Jones fracture occurs in a specific part of the fifth metatarsal—the bone connecting your pinkie toe to your foot. It’s notorious for poor blood supply, which means it heals incredibly slowly.
The team's medical staff, led by Dr. David Porter, is being ultra-cautious. They have to be. If you rush a Jones fracture and it refractures, you're looking at a potential career-altering situation.
What Happens When He Finally Returns?
There is some internal worry in Cleveland. Reportedly, even Coach Atkinson has acknowledged that we might not see the "old" Max Strus immediately.
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When a player misses eight or nine months of live basketball, the "game speed" takes forever to come back. His conditioning might be there, but the timing on his jump shot? The lateral quickness needed to guard elite Eastern Conference wings? That’s going to take a minute.
Whenever he does suit up, expect a heavy minutes restriction. He won't be playing 32 minutes a night right out of the gate. We're probably looking at 15-18 minutes of bench duty while the training staff monitors how that foot reacts to back-to-back games.
Insights for Cavs Fans and Fantasy Managers
If you’ve been holding onto him in a deep fantasy league or just waiting for the Cavs to "get healthy," here is the bottom line.
First, stop checking the box scores for a few weeks. He isn't playing. Second, the February trade deadline (Feb 5) is going to be the real indicator of how the team feels about his recovery. If they make a move for another wing, it tells you they aren't confident he'll be 100% for a playoff run.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the February 3rd evaluation. That is the date that will determine if Strus can start "basketball activities"—which is the fancy NBA term for practicing with the team. Until he’s through that gate, he’s still just a spectator in a very expensive suit. If you're looking for production in the meantime, De'Andre Hunter is the guy soaking up those minutes and is the most logical player to track for actual on-court impact.