Max Strus Clears Injury Report, Set to Return for Clippers

Max Strus is officially off the injury report for Monday, meaning the Los Angeles Clippers are finally getting their designated floor spacer back after a foot injury kept him in street clothes since the preseason.

A partially torn plantar fascia sounds like something you get from wearing the wrong dress shoes to a summer wedding, but in the NBA, it is a guaranteed multi-month sentence. Strus has been rehabbing since August, leaving the Clippers to figure out their rotation without one of their most willing shooters.

For a team that desperately needs connective tissue and spacing on the offensive end, getting the veteran wing back is a massive relief. Strus brings a career average hovering around 11.5 points and a green light to launch from anywhere inside the parking lot.

His return immediately scrambles the math for Monday night. Anyone looking at team totals or player props will have to factor in a guy who can get streaky hot in a hurry, though you have to assume the medical staff will have him on a strict minutes limit for his debut.

There is no easing into the Western Conference grind. The Clippers need Strus to stretch the floor so their primary scorers can actually operate in the paint without getting swarmed by three defenders every single possession.

Expect a rusty but eager version of Strus on Monday night. If the foot holds up and he finds his rhythm, he will be back to ruining opposing defensive schemes by the end of the month.