The Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing to face the Washington Wizards on December 13 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland, currently at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 21-4 record, is looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Miami Heat. On the other hand, the Wizards are struggling at the bottom of the standings with a 3-19 record.

While both teams have their challenges, fans are doubtful about Max Strus. Will he make a return tonight after being sidelined with an ankle injury? Strus has been a key piece of Cleveland’s rotation, and his return could shift the game significantly. Let’s dive into the injury reports, depth charts, and what this all means for tonight’s game.

As of now, the Cavaliers’ injury report sidelines Max Strus and he will miss the game tonight. Strus’ impact on the court has been noticeable this season, bringing shooting and defense. There’s also uncertainty around Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley who are listed as questionable due to a knee injury and an ankle issue.

Meanwhile, the Wizards are facing a far worse situation, dealing with multiple key injuries that leave them thin on the ground. Corey Kispert, Kyle Kuzma, Kyshawn George, and Malcolm Brogdon are all out, leaving head coach Wes Unseld Jr. with a roster that’s lacking its usual firepower. Washington has already struggled this season, and these injuries only add to the challenge. Additionally, Tristan Vukcevic is also out from his previous game.

Depth Charts & The Matchup Breakdown

Cleveland led by star guard Darius Garland has been one of the NBA’s top teams this season. The team has been dominating offensively scoring 121.4 points per game and ranking seventh in assists with 28.1 per contest. Garland has been a standout performer, averaging 20.5 points per game. And defensively, the Cavs have been solid as well, limiting opponents to an average of 111.6 points in the last 10 games. If they maintain that defensive focus, it could be another tough night for Washington.

On the other hand, the Wizards have been struggling to find consistency in this season. They have lost 9 of their last 10 games and have one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the league, averaging just 104.5 points per game. With players like Kuzma and Brogdon out, Washington’s chances of scoring efficiently are limited. However, the Wizards still manage to score a decent amount of points in the paint, averaging 49.9 points per game in that area, which ranks them among the higher teams in the Eastern Conference. But without key players available, their ability to capitalize on that strength could be compromised.

These two teams have met twice already this season, with Cleveland winning both games. Given the Wizards’ injuries and Cleveland’s overall strength, tonight’s game might give another opportunity for the Cavaliers to maintain its stronghold on the Eastern Conference.