Max Strus removed from game with right hip contusion

Strus played just nine minutes in Cleveland’s opening preseason game.

The number one goal of preseason is to make it through the games completely healthy. The Cleveland Cavaliers might not have accomplished that as Max Strus was removed from Monday’s exhibition against the Chicago Bulls with a right hip contusion and will not return.

How serious the injury is remains to be seen. There’s no reason to play through any discomfort if you’re an established starter like Strus in the preseason. That could give you hope that this isn’t something serious. Still, you’d rather not have someone taken out of a game with an injury. Strus missed 12 games last season with a right knee sprain.

Strus is in his second season with the team. He played just over nine minutes in the team’s opening preseason contest. He didn’t take any shots and finished with two rebounds, two fouls, and an assist. Strus finished last season averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and four assists a game on .418/.351/.794 shooting splits in 70 appearances.

The Cavs have three preseason games remaining after Tuesday. They take on the Indiana Pacers at home Thursday before heading on the road to play the Detroit Pistons and Bulls again next week. Cleveland opens their season on the road against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Oct. 23.