Miami Heat: They Dodge A Bullet After Max Strus Injury Update

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.

Miami Heat: They Dodge A Bullet After Max Strus Injury Update

Nonetheless, the Heat announced a sprained left knee for the third-year forward on Monday, as Miami prepares to travel for a Tuesday night matchup in Dallas. Although Max’s MRI came back negative, it should be appropriate for the Heat’s training staff to give him a few games off as a precautionary method.

On a further note, they’ve already sat Kyle Lowry (ankle) against Indiana and Bam Adebayo (knee) against Memphis.

So, it’s not that bad, at all, as having a mindfulness towards lower-body injuries this early in the season is ideal.

In a promising offseason, Strus displayed a herculean amount of confidence over the last few months, as he lifted the Heat’s Summer League with creative ways to score. Whether it was the above the break step-backs, creative finishes on the drive, or deep range game-winning pull-ups, it seemed like he was really finding it all.

On an average of 17.4 minutes per game, Strus was 6-20 from the three-point line heading into Saturday’s matchup versus Memphis but on a night where shooting became contagious, he showed his value with the Heat’s second-unit. He, once again, provided his quick-trigger shooting form with zero hesitation.

Miami Heat: Who Will Step Up In Max Strus’s Absence Though?

Strus’s improved offensive consistency showed itself throughout the 2021 preseason, finishing as the Heat’s fourth-leading scorer at 13.5 points and on a blistering 47 percent from three. This showing featured a 28-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs.

Strus’s play has warranted an increased role for the Heat’s third-year wing and head coach Erik Spoelstra will have to go deeper into his bench without him. Who is the guy for the moment though?

AS STRUS MISSES TIME, WHO GETS FIRST CRACK

One player who the Heat should certainly allocate minutes to is Caleb Martin, one of Miami’s assigned two-way contracts. Seeing 26 minutes against Memphis and after only seeing eight (three inactive) in Miami’s first five outings, Martin displayed versatility in short spurts, as the Heat deferred to smaller lineups in Adebayo’s absence.

While he isn’t as bulky as Strus, Martin can fly in the open court and create highlight plays from either end.

While the Heat do have an open roster spot available, I don’t see them in play to fill any gaps between now and next spring — when the buyout market spikes. It shouldn’t be too much longer before Victor Oladipo returns to the lineup as well.

Until then, the Heat will continue to rely on Strus to be a key contributor for their bench when he’s healthy. In his absence, the call has been made for players to step up and contribute, while the Next Man Up mentality instantly comes into full play.

We’ll see who can grab the baton. As long as they help the Miami Heat stay near the top of the race, it doesn’t even matter though.