CLEVELAND — Avoiding injury in the preseason is a goal of every team in every sport.

Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, starting small forward Max Strus exited their preseason opener against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night with 8:21 left in the second quarter after being shaken up.

The Cavs announced Strus suffered a right hip contusion and wouldn't return to the game.

Afterward, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson was asked whether Strus' injury warranted concern.

"I haven't gotten an update yet, so I'm not sure," Atkinson said.

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Strus attempted to draw a charge with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter against Bulls rookie forward Matas Buzelis. Strus took a moment to rise from the floor and then stayed in the game for a brief period. He checked out of the action with a limp, talked to head athletic trainer Stephen Spiro and disappeared into the tunnel near the Cavs bench.

Strus did not score or even attempt a shot in nine minutes of action against the Bulls. He had two rebounds, one assist and two fouls in the tune-up for the Cavs' regular-season opener Oct. 23 at Toronto.

In the 2023-24 regular season, Strus averaged 12.2 points per game on 41.8% shooting from the field, 4.8 rebounds and 4 assists in 32 minutes. He joined the Cavs last year in a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat.

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs' Max Strus suffers hip contusion in preseason opener vs Bulls