As health improves, Cavaliers will have to figure out rotation

The Cavaliers are about to experience a numbers crunch in their overcrowded rotation. Max Strus is nearing his long-awaited return to the lineup, and it can't come soon enough for the veteran swingman. Coach Kenny Atkinson said the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder went through about "90 percent" of practice Friday at Cleveland Clinic Courts. He's missed the entire season after suffering a Jones fracture in his left foot in the offseason. Strus, 29, probably won't be available in today's nationally televised game against the high-flying Boston Celtics, but his return is on the horizon. Cleveland (39-24) will likely have the services of leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, who missed the previous four games with a strained right groin. He participated in the entire practice Friday and appears to be ready to go. The same can be said of top defender Dean Wade, who missed the last three games with a sprained right ankle. He is expected to be in the starting lineup at small forward. The news isn't as positive for center Jarrett Allen, who suffered a right knee injury against Detroit on Tuesday. He didn't practice Friday as he got treatment. "We'll see about him," Atkinson said. "It's not long-term at all. If he's out, it's a short-term thing." Complicating things is the showdown with second-seeded Boston (42-21) is the first game of a back-to-back home set. The Cavs host Philadelphia on Monday. Cleveland is notorious for holding out players in one of the games of a back-to-back, especially those coming off injuries. Power forward Evan Mobley has not played in both games of a back-to-back since returning from a left calf strain, and don't be surprised if Mitchell sits out one of the games. Strus, who hasn't played since Game 6 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, was in a good mood Friday. "It was nice to see him smiling," Atkinson said. "(When he was sidelined) you didn't see that smile. He's such a hooper. To have that taken away from him (was rough). That's who he is. It's been really tough. It's nice to see him in the mix again." The Cavs missed Strus' toughness, grit and intensity. "He brings energy," Atkinson said. "He does every drill 100 percent. I'm optimistic. We're starting to get whole. It's like adding an excellent free agent. It's trending positive. "He adds another connector at an elite level. He has skill, know-how (and a high) IQ." Strus also excels at setting screens. "Max can get that (rugged) defender off our elite ballhandlers," Atkinson said. "It's exciting what that will look like." Finding minutes for so many players could be problematic. When the team is completely healthy, Wade will likely slot in at small forward, even though Jaylon Tyson has played well enough to warrant being in the starting lineup. The rest of the starters are Mitchell, James Harden, Mobley and Allen. Coming off the bench will be Wade/Tyson, Strus, Sam Merrill, Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. That leaves no time for Thomas Bryant, Nae'Qwan Tomlin or Craig Porter Jr. "It's a great problem to have," Atkinson said. "It will go game-to-game who we finish with. "It's a challenge. We have to move quickly here. That's why they pay us the big bucks to figure that out." Celtics forward Jayson Tatum returned to the lineup Friday in Boston's 120-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. He had 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in his first action since rupturing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs in May. The Celtics are gunning for a three-game season sweep of Cleveland. The Cavs, however, are 15-4 in their last 19 games and an NBA-best 22-8 (.733) since Dec. 29. The contenders are 9-9 over their last 18 regular-season matchups. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.