On Saturday night, the Miami Heat walked into FedExForum and trounced the Memphis Grizzlies, 129-103. Submitting yet another strong defensive performance, the Heat significantly out-rebounded Memphis, 50-32 and more importantly, they saw a 21-for-37 night from the three-point line — an area that has avoided them to begin the season.
However, the Heat’s 26-point blowout came at the expense of Max Strus, who suffered a left knee injury with just five minutes remaining in the game. Strus had received a signature hit-ahead pass from Kyle Lowry and and then attempted a right-handed dunk over Grizzlies’ guard John Konchar.
After meeting Konchar at the summit, Strus’ dunk attempt was rejected and his left leg buckled upon landing. Lowry immediately checked in on Strus after the play and through several moments, you could sense an aura of concern.
Strus, though, would get up under his own power and proceed to walk towards the locker room — ending a night where he scored a season-high 12 points, while grabbing five rebounds and on 3-4 shooting from beyond the arc.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1454611916085731328
This was the same knee in which Strus suffered an ACL tear back in December of 2019, when he was under contract with the Chicago Bulls. Strus has been transitioning into a critical role in Miami, as he provides adequate floor spacing when Duncan Robinson heads to the bench.