The Los Angeles Clippers weren’t expected to compete much in a stacked Western Conference, but the road got a lot tougher in their first preseason game when Max Strus suffered a foot injury.

The injury occurred just five minutes into the game when Strus pulled up limp on a harmless-looking play where he ran just above the break, caught a pass from Darius Garland, and immediately passed it back while wincing in pain.

Strus was taken out of the game and did not return.

It was reported on Tuesday that he would be reevaluated in four weeks after suffering a partial rupture of the plantar fascia in his right foot.

Strus was on track to be the starting shooting guard on the team next to Garland, whom he played with in Cleveland. He started the first preseason game and all signs pointed to him being the starter for opening night given his versatility and chemistry with Garland.

Clippers head coach Ty Lue was asked what changes with Strus out of the lineup.

“A lot of movement, ATO’s, coming off screens, pindowns… another guy that was shot-ready at all times, when he was on the floor, guys had to stay closer to him, more spacing, his movement… we are going to miss that tremendously,” he said.

Strus is a connector on both ends of the floor, but especially on the offensive end where he can do a little bit of everything.

The team is already missing Brandon Ingram, who they acquired from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kawhi Leonard, and they need all the offense they can get to start the season.

Prior to their first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, Lue mentioned that Strus and fellow newcomer Rui Hachimura were picking things up quickly.

With Strus out of the lineup, fifth overall pick Keaton Wagler could find himself in the starting lineup. He was drafted with the idea that he could play next to Garland, though the Clippers probably didn’t envision it happening this early.

Wagler projects to be a better overall scorer, but he hasn’t proven to be the versatile option that Strus is, and his fit next to Garland will take some time. He also needs the ball in his hands more than Strus and will have to prove he can make the most of those opportunities.

The early reps could end up paying big dividends for Wagler and the Clippers, but there will be growing pains, and they were hoping to have some runway with the addition of Strus.