Cavaliers’ Max Strus Records Second Double-Double In Three Games

Cleveland's offseason acquisition has recorded two double-doubles in his first three games with the team. He recorded a combined two double-doubles in his previous four seasons.

This past offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Max Strus in a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat.

Cleveland signed him to a four-year, $62.3 million contact, which seems to be paying off for the Cavaliers so far.

Just three games into his Wine and Gold tenure, Strus has already recorded two double-doubles. According to @CavsNotes on X, the 27-year-old had a combined two double-doubles in his previous four NBA seasons.

Max Strus (20 PTS, REB) already has his 2nd double-double of the season.

He had just 2 double-doubles in his first 4 @NBA seasons combined. #LetEmKnow

— Cavs Notes (@CavsNotes) October 29, 2023

In Cleveland’s season-opener on Wednesday night, Strus scored 27 points and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds in a Cavaliers victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Tonight, against the Indiana Pacers, Strus tallied 21 points (7-20 FG, 4-9 3PT, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, and six assists as Cleveland lost its second straight home game.

Oct 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Before this season, Strus did not average any more than 3.2 rebounds per game in his previous four campaigns. However, in his first three games as a Cavalier, the 6-foot-5 forward has averaged 9.3 rebounds per contest.

With Cleveland’s leading rebounder from each of the last two seasons, Jarrett Allen, having not played in the team’s first three games of the season due to a bone bruise in his left ankle, Strus has been an integral part of the Cavaliers’ efforts on the boards so far this season.

Known as a strong perimeter shooting threat, Strus has also excelled in this aspect of the game in his first trio of contests with Cleveland. So far, he has shot 13-for-33 (39.4%) from downtown, averaging 4.3 three-pointers made and 11.0 three-point attempts per game.

The Cavaliers will complete a three-game homestand on Tuesday night, when they host the New York Knicks on Halloween.