Heat receives ‘good news’ on Max Strus’ injury. Also, an update on Bam Adebayo’s knee bruise
The level of anxiety was high for Miami Heat wing Max Strus during the weekend, but the feeling Monday was one of relief.
After exiting the court late in Saturday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies following an awkward landing on a dunk attempt, an MRI on Strus’ left knee returned negative and he was diagnosed with a sprained left knee.
Strus, 25, won’t play in the Heat’s road game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday (7:30 p.m., TNT) and expects to miss at least “a couple weeks. But he avoided the worst possible outcome after tearing the ACL in his left knee less than two years ago in December 2019.
“There was a lot of anxiety. It was tough to sleep the night before,” Strus said following Monday’s practice at American Airlines Center when asked about the hours leading up to the MRI. “But the training staff did a great job of getting me in as soon as they could to get the MRI. As soon as I heard those results, it was just a breath of fresh air. I’m happy with how everything turned out.”
Strus’ awkward landing on his left leg occurred when his dunk attempt was blocked by Grizzlies center Killian Tillie. Strus immediately limped to the locker room with 4:59 to play and did not return, fearing the worst.
“It just felt awkward. Obviously with how I am, I just immediately thought back to what I did before,” Strus said. “So I just got scared and it was just in my head. But luckily we’re good. So we got good news out of it and we’ll just see where we go from there. I’ll rehab it and get stronger, and see where we go from there.”
Strus has become a consistent part of the Heat’s four-man bench rotation this season, along with Tyler Herro, Dewayne Dedmon and Markieff Morris. Strus, who signed a two-year minimum deal with the Heat this past offseason, has appeared as a reserve in each of the Heat’s first six games, averaging six points on 37.5 percent shooting on threes and 2.7 rebounds in 17.3 minutes.
“It’s part of the game. Injuries happen, things happen,” Strus said of his latest setback. “I’ll work my way back into [the rotation]. Whatever happens, happens and hopefully the spot is still there when I come back.”
Of the injury, Strus said: “It’s not painful. It’s just a little achy. But I’ll get through it.” He wore a black sleeve over the knee Monday and walked around without assistance.
Until Strus returns, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra hinted that guard Gabe Vincent and wing Caleb Martin could get an opportunity to play more consistently.
“You just have to go into your depth,” Spoelstra said. “We feel really comfortable with our depth, with Gabe and Caleb. Caleb gave us some really good minutes the other night [in Memphis], inspiring plays defensively. That block was really special. And you feel for Max, too, but thankfully it’s just going to be short term, and he’ll get healthy and we’ll go from there.”
MORE POSITIVE NEWS FOR HEAT
Heat center Bam Adebayo was able to go through Monday’s practice in Dallas after missing Saturday’s win over the Grizzlies because of a left knee bruise.
Adebayo said following practice that he feels “good.” He’s listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Mavericks.
“He was able to go through practice,” Spoelstra said. “Everything is day to day. We’ll see how he responds to this.”
The Mavericks ruled out forward Maxi Kleber for Tuesday’s game against the Heat because of a back strain. Center Kristaps Porzingis is listed as questionable with lower back tightness.
Along with Strus, the Heat ruled out Marcus Garrett (G League assignment) and Victor Oladipo (right knee injury recovery) against the Mavericks.
▪ Monday marked the Heat’s first formal practice since the start of the regular season, with two days off between Saturday’s win over the Grizzlies and Tuesday’s game against the Mavericks creating the practice opportunity.
“Just about trying to get better,” Spoelstra following the session. “That’s what today was, and not trying to feel like we’re entitled to anything in this league. We’ve made great progress in the first few weeks of the season and we want to continue to work to get better.”
▪ Spoelstra also celebrated his 51st birthday Monday.
“You just hear all these numbers thrown out there, and hopefully it’s the new under 40,” Spoelstra joked.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 4:17 PM.
