The LA Clippers will begin the 2026-27 NBA season without Max Strus after the guard suffered a right foot injury during the team’s preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors in Hawaii on Sunday.
Strus sustained a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot and is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks. The Clippers announced the diagnosis on Monday and said the 30-year-old will be reevaluated after that period.
The injury occurred early in Sunday’s preseason contest. With 7:50 remaining in the opening quarter, Strus pulled up after suffering a non-contact injury. He was able to limp off the court but did not return to the game.
The four-week recovery timeline rules Strus out for the remainder of the preseason and means he will also miss the beginning of the regular-season schedule.
The Clippers are due to open their 2026-27 campaign on October 21, when they host the Sacramento Kings.
Strus’ absence adds to the Clippers’ injury concerns ahead of the new season. Fellow offseason addition Brandon Ingram is also expected to be unavailable at the start of the campaign because of an Achilles injury.
Strus joined the Clippers from the Cleveland Cavaliers on August 20 in a five-team trade that also included Charlotte, Washington and Denver.
His latest foot problem comes after an injury-hit final season in Cleveland. Strus missed the opening five months of last season while recovering from a broken left foot. He eventually returned to make 12 appearances for the Cavaliers, averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Now entering his eighth NBA season, Strus will have to deal with another spell on the sidelines before getting the opportunity to make his Clippers regular-season debut.
The guard is also entering the final season of his four-year contract, making the injury an unfortunate setback at the beginning of an important campaign.
For the Clippers, attention will now turn to Strus’ recovery and his scheduled reevaluation in four weeks as the team begins the season without two of its offseason acquisitions.
