The Cleveland Cavaliers will be getting some reinforcements back soon on the floor, as Max Strus is set to return against the Milwaukee Bucks. Strus will most likely be on a minutes restriction, but things may get complicated when Issac Okoro comes back, as he’s currently out dealing with an AC joint sprain.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson has been using a nine and ten-man rotation, and he might consider using an 11-man rotation when everybody is healthy.
“It’s funny, every time we think we’re getting to 11, something happens, and we’re at 10,” Atkinson said via Cavs reporter Chris Fedor. “It’s a little bit of cross that bridge when we come to it. But in my mind, it’s possible we play 11. It’s really going to depend on who is available.”
Sam Merrill has been playing key minutes for the Cavs due to the injuries of Strus and Okoro, and Atkinson doesn’t think he’ll fall out of the rotation when everyone returns.
“I don’t see a big dip in his minutes because he’s so valuable to us in certain ways,” Atkinson said of Merrill.
Despite the injuries, the Cavs still have the best record in the league, and once they get healthy, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they get better as the season progresses.
Max Strus returning soon for Cavs
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Max Strus was able to practice with the Cavs this week, and Kenny Atkinson seemed excited about his upcoming return.
“Super,” Atkinson said when asked about how Strus looked in practice. “Feedback was really good today. I’d say we had a moderate practice. He got through it fine. Now, what does it look like when he wakes up? That’s really going to be the trigger on what happens in the next two games. He looked phenomenal the last two days.”
Strus was a big part of the Cavs’ success last season, being one of the better three-point shooters in the league. The Cavs have already been shooting threes at a high level this season, and adding Strus to the fold will make them more dangerous as a group.
Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell continue to lead the backcourt for their Cavs with their playmaking and scoring, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are manning the frontcourt with their defense. Their role players have also been playing well, which is why they’re at the top of the Eastern Conference. It’ll be interesting to see how they look when everyone is healthy.
