Max

Strus

Merrill has missed the last two games with tightness in his left hamstring. Keon Ellis moved into the starting lineup in his absence and may continue to do so. However, Max Strus (foot) made his season debut on Sunday and played extremely well. Ultimately, he may be the fifth starter once the Cavaliers are back to full strength.

Allen, who has not appeared in a game since March 3, will remain out for all three games of Cleveland’s road trip that begins in Milwaukee on Tuesday. In his absence, the Cavaliers have used Evan Mobley as their starting center, with Keon Ellis being the fifth starter the last two games due to Sam Merrill’s hamstring injury. With Max Strus back from a foot injury, there could come a point when he’s starting instead of Ellis.

Sunday was Strus’s first appearance of the season, and the Cavaliers’ guard looked incredibly sharp. He hit three three-pointers in his first stint on the floor and finished with 24 points. Strus played 22 minutes, and it isn’t difficult to envision his playing time increasing at some point during the fantasy playoff weeks. Cleveland has been without Sam Merrill recently, so getting Strus back is a big deal, even with Sunday’s defeat.

For the first time this season, Strus is available to play. While no specifics have been provided on a minutes limit, fantasy managers should not expect him to take on a full workload in his first few games back. Sam Merrill (hamstring) is out, so Strus can take on some of those minutes.

Strus is on track to make his season debut on Sunday. While he’ll provide shooting, especially with Sam Merrill (hamstring) out, fantasy managers should expect Strus’ playing time to be limited in his first few games back.

Strus’ rehab will continue with the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate. Strus was able to participate in practice last week, so this is likely just an opportunity to get him more reps while the Cavs play a game in Orlando. Strus could return for one of their two games against the Mavericks this weekend, though his role will likely be limited.

Max Strus (foot) also participated. The practice is good news for fantasy managers rostering Mitchell and potentially streaming Wade. All three have a chance to take the court for Sunday’s matchup with the Celtics.

Strus has yet to make his season debut after undergoing offseason surgery, and the latest update means he may not take the court until after the All-Star break. De’Andre Hunter, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson should continue to pick up the slack until Strus returns.

Hunter provided limited value outside of the points and three-pointers, but that has been the norm for him throughout his NBA career. Due to the limited production in assists, steals and blocked shots, he’s still ranked outside the top-100 in nine-cat formats. The good news for those who have Hunter rostered is that he appears to be a safe bet to start until Max Strus returns from offseason ankle surgery. Hunter’s rostered in 34 percent of Yahoo! leagues, a fair percentage given the lackluster production in multiple categories.

While Hunter finished with a solid point total, the field goal percentage was lacking due to a 3-of-12 night from beyond the arc. He and many other Cavaliers may have been too willing to settle for triples, as they shot 17-of-52 on the night. Boston is also a high-volume three-point shooting team, but they made 21 three-pointers and outscored Cleveland at the foul line (20-18). Hunter has ample opportunities to produce since he’s in the starting lineup, and that’s unlikely to change until Max Strus (ankle) returns to action.