Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus return to practice as Cavs get healthier

The Cavaliers may finally be trending toward full strength.

Well, close to it.

Three injured Cavs returned to practice Friday as Donovan Mitchell (groin), Dean Wade (ankle) and Max Strus (foot) all participated in team drills ahead of Sunday’s home matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Center Jarrett Allen did not practice after taking what coach Kenny Atkinson described as a knee-to-knee hit during Tuesday’s win over the Detroit Pistons.

Allen has been on a tear lately, and his absence from Friday’s workout was likely more precautionary than anything.

Mitchell and Wade have each missed the past four games but appear to be on track to return soon. Mitchell, Cleveland’s leading scorer and a seven-time All-Star, could be back Sunday.

The biggest development may involve Strus.

The veteran wing has yet to play this season after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot shortly before training camp. He has recently ramped up his rehab through the G League’s Cleveland Charge and completed about 90 percent of Friday’s practice.

“It’s trending positive,” Atkinson told reporters. “Adding Max is like adding another excellent free agent.”

The Cavs enter the weekend at 39-24 and sitting fourth in the East.

They have surged since acquiring James Harden in last month’s trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, going 8-1 in the games he has played.