Shortly after the Cavs learned the severity of Max Strus’ ankle injury, new coach Kenny Atkinson started assembling Plan B. Strus was expected to start on Opening Night. It was going to be the same enthralling quintet — Strus,

Two nights later, on Oct. 25, the Cavaliers play their home opener at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against the Pistons. The Pistons are coached by J.B. Bickerstaff, whom Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman fired as Cavs head coach last May after Cleveland was eliminated by the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.

We’re not yet into the NBA season and already the Cavaliers are down one starter. That would be none other than small forward/wing Max Strus, who will miss at least the first 5-6 weeks with a sprained ankle.