The Los Angeles Clippers played their first preseason game of the year on Sunday in Hawaii, picking up a 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

While the victory was nice for Los Angeles, they did not escape unharmed as starting shooting guard Max Strus suffered an injury five minutes into the game. The injury occurred as Strus was running to catch a pass from Darius Garland just above the break, pulling up lame and immediately giving the ball back to Garland.

The Clippers immediately called a timeout to get Strus off the floor.

Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia, and he is set to be reevaluated in four weeks.

Strus was acquired in the offseason from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade that sent Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets to the Cavaliers.

Strus was brought in as a versatile guard who can do a bit of everything on both ends of the floor, connecting the offense and defense. It was a bonus that he had chemistry with Garland from their days in Cleveland.

Just ahead of the first preseason game, Clippers head coach Ty Lue praised Strus for picking things up quickly as one of the new players on the team.

Strus started the first preseason game, and it looked like he had the inside track to start at the two-guard alongside Garland when the Clippers open their season.

This is another unfortunate break for Strus, who was limited to just 12 regular season games last year due to a Jones fracture in his left foot, for which he underwent surgery in August 2025. In the only bit of positive news, this new injury is on his right foot and not his left.

With Strus now down to start the season, and the Clippers expecting to miss Brandon Ingram to start the year as well, fifth overall pick Keaton Wagler will likely be inserted into the starting lineup to give the Clippers some offensive punch.

Wagler played 30 minutes in his preseason debut, and though he struggled from the floor, shooting 3-for-15 from the field and 1-for-11 from three, he hit a tough turnaround jumper in the final minute to put the Clippers up 102-101.

Strus was there to take pressure off the rookie and help ease him into the lineup, but that luxury is gone, and now Wagler will have to step up and contribute as a starter immediately.