Cavaliers’ Max Strus Hit 2nd-Longest Game-Winner In NBA History Against Mavericks

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus hit the second-longest game-winner in NBA history against the Dallas Mavericks. 

Strus’ game-winner was officially listed at 59 feet. Only Devonte’ Graham has made a longer game-winner (61 feet in December 2021).

“Get it up,” Strus said after the game. “I had space, I don’t know. I just shot it. … At my Division II (college), I made a three-quarter-court shot to win the game. I think it was No. 1 on ESPN.”

Strus finished with 21 points against the Mavericks while shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Strus is the fourth player in the past 25 seasons to make five 3s in the final four minutes of a game.

“He was the guy,” Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff said of Strus. “That’s one of the things, that we’re fortunate with this group, is on any given night, we’ve got a guy who can step up and make huge plays.”

The Cavaliers improved to 38-19 on the season after beating the Mavericks. They are in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Cleveland looks like a legitimate NBA contender.

Strus is averaging 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists this season while shooting 41.8% from the field, 34.3% from 3 and 77.3% from the free-throw line. 

“Max never quits,” Bickerstaff said. “He just kept making play after play after play on both ends.”

Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, who had 45 points and 14 assists, called Strus’ shot “incredible.” He also took some blame. 

“Incredible shot. That was just an incredible shot,” Doncic said. “It was my fault. I should have pressed forward [on Strus]. I thought we played a good game, but that was rough, obviously.”

Strus joined the Cavaliers last summer via a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat. He’s making $14.5 million this season.