Los Angeles Clippers guard Max Strus made his regular season debut on Monday as the Clippers took on the Toronto Raptors.

Strus suffered a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot in the first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, causing him to miss the start of the year.

Strus played 23 minutes off the bench. He struggled with his shot, going 3-for-10 from the field and 3-for-9 from three, but did have six assists and four rebounds.

After the game, Strus was asked about being back out on the court.

“It was great. It was fun to get back out there and compete, and doing what I love to do,” he said, before saying that the result wasn’t what they were looking for, but the team took steps in the right direction and has things to build off of.

Asked how close he is to being 100%, he said he wasn’t sure, but will continue to take it day by day and find ways to get better with the group.

It seemed clear that Strus was tabbed to be one of the five starters when the season started, but the preseason injury put that on the shelf. Strus started the preseason game alongside Darius Garland, whom he played with in Cleveland before Garland was traded to the Clippers in exchange for James Harden at the 2026 deadline.

Strus was acquired in the offseason as part of a three-team deal that sent Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets to the Cavaliers.

Strus is a connector on both ends of the floor and already has chemistry with Garland. They had a +9.9 net rating when they were on the floor together last season in 921 minutes. Donovan Mitchell and Garland had a +8.9 net rating last year before Garland was traded.

He was brought in to make life easier for Strus and Brandon Ingram, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kawhi Leonard, but has yet to suit up this season due to a heel injury.

Once Strus is able to get his rhythm back and likely join the starting lineup, the Clippers should look better on both ends of the floor, but especially on the offensive end, as he provides Garland with more room to operate with his spacing.

Strus shot 40% from three on 6.8 attempts last season. Despite their record, the Clippers are already one of the best three-point shooting teams in the league in terms of percentage, but their volume is in the bottom third. Strus should increase the volume and keep their percentage where it is.