Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus is expected to make his season debut on Friday after battling an ankle injury, RG first reported Tuesday.

The Cavaliers, 21-4 without Strus, host the Washington Wizards on Friday. Strus will play barring any setbacks, ESPN added Wednesday.

Strus injured the ankle during individual workouts in mid-October.

The 28-year-old Strus averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 70 starts 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.

–Field Level Media