The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2024/25 season didn’t pan out as they liked, and there was no offseason either.
The Cavaliers were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
A key issue for Kenny Atkinson’s team was Darius Garland’s toe injury, which severely hindered him during the postseason.
Max Strus has joined Garland on his injury list with foot issues that make the Cavs’ 2025/26 season even more challenging.
Brian Windholst made a comparison between Strath and Kevin Durant, which involves Cleveland supporters.
Windhorst recently discussed Strus’ foot injuries on a Hoop Collective Podcast with Tim McMahon and Tim Bontemps.
He explained that Jones’ fractures were “particularly difficult” to manage, and that Durant had suffered the same problem about a decade ago.
“This was a pretty important setback,” Windhorst said. “This week, Cavs announced that Max Strus suffered from a broken Jones.
“This is a particularly difficult fracture to the fifth metatarsal, the outer part of the foot. About 10 years ago, Kevin Durant had a Jones fracture, which ultimately required three different steps.
“Obviously, he continued to spend the next decade, so it was soothing, but for Durant, he had to come back a few months later and then take out the screws.
“What happens with Jones’ fracture is that the screws they have to put in to fix it bothers you, and you have to take it out and heal it. In Durant’s case, he’s broken again.”
Strath should be fine by the time the 2026 playoffs arrive, but the problem is that the Cavaliers may be underprepared.
If Strus and Garland miss a lot of games with their respective injuries, the Cavs can find themselves in the fight for the top six species.
Brian Windhorst suggested that the Cavaliers don’t know when Darius Garland will be able to return from his injury.
Garland missed multiple playoff games due to toe issues after a successful surgery.
“When two of the starters have foot surgery in the offseason, that’s not a good thing,” Windhorst added. “That’s my analysis.
“At the beginning of the summer, Darius Garland had surgery on his grass toes, really restricting him in the playoffs last year, and missed some games with the Pacers.
“He later interviewed Cleveland.com and said he was basically playing with one leg.
“Maybe he’ll go out to the start of the season at least. At the end of the day, there’s no need for an All-Star in October, but they’ll still miss him at the beginning of the season.”