Strus supplied five points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes during Monday's 130-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Strus simply couldn't find any rhythm, scoring single digits for the fifth time in the past six games. Although he was able to provide the Cavaliers with a strong defensive presence, his offensive output left a lot to be desired. In seven games over the past two weeks, he averaged just 9.4 points, 1.0 steals and 2.4 three-pointers.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting Game 4
Rotowire
Strus is in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks on Monday.
Strus has come off the bench in each of the first three games of the series, but he provided a spark in Game 3 by scoring 13 points on four treys, earning him a look with the first unit. Dean Wade will retreat to the bench with Strus sliding into the starting five.
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Retreats to bench in Game 1 loss
Rotowire
Strus had eight points (2-6 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 115-104 overtime loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Strus shifted back to the bench after starting in Game 7 against the Pistons. Despite the demotion, he still managed to play meaningful minutes, logging at least 25 minutes for the ninth straight game. While he has been on the floor when it matters, Strus' production has been less than ideal on most nights. He has scored double digits only once in the past seven games, struggling to find his rhythm from the perimeter.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Moving to bench for Game 1
Rotowire
Strus won't start Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.
After starting Sunday's Game 7 win over Detroit, Strus will slide back to the second unit as the Cavaliers move Dean Wade into the starting lineup. This adjustment likely aims to bolster Cleveland's frontcourt size and defense against a physical Knicks squad. Strus was a reliable contributor in the previous round, averaging 9.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, and he has a history of sparked scoring off the bench, including a 20-point performance in Game 5 of the second round. Expect the veteran sharpshooter to maintain a significant role as the primary floor-spacer for the reserve unit.
Strus will start Sunday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pistons.
Strus will get the starting nod over Dean Wade in Sunday's win-or-go-home matchup. Strus has averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.2 minutes per contest over six second-round appearances.
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Drops 20 points in Game 5 win
Rotowire
Strus chipped in 20 points (6-8 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 36 minutes during Wednesday's 117-113 overtime win over the Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Strus delivered when it mattered most, scoring at least 20 points for just the second time this postseason, having dropped 24 points in the opening game against the Raptors. He also chipped in across all major categories, providing the Cavaliers with energy on both ends of the floor. In 12 playoff appearances, Strus has averaged 10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 three-pointers in 26.6 minutes per contest.
Strus closed Tuesday's 111-101 loss to the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 19 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal across 28 minutes.
Strus comfortably led the bench in scoring Tuesday, with the rest of the second unit combining for 16 points. Through eight postseason games, Strus is shooting 47.6 percent from the field with averages of 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Delivers full line off bench
Rotowire
Strus totaled 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals in 31 minutes during Sunday's 114-102 victory over the Raptors in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Despite shifting to the bench, Strus logged at least 30 minutes for the first time in the playoffs, falling two rebounds short of a double-double while also adding three combined steals-plus-blocks. It was a welcome return to form for Strus, who prior to Sunday had scored just 15 points over three games. Cleveland will now face Detroit in the second round of the playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Not starting Game 7
Rotowire
Strus won't start Sunday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Raptors.
After starting the last two games, Strus will slide to the second unit in favor of Dean Wade in Sunday's do-or-die matchup. Over four appearances off the bench in the series, Strus has averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.5 minutes per showing.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Passive performance Friday
Rotowire
Strus ended Friday's 112-110 overtime loss to the Raptors in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with six points (2-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five rebounds and three assists across 20 minutes.
Strus scored in single digits for the fifth time in the past six games. Despite starting the past two games, Strus has been unable to provide the team with anything of note, scoring a total of 14 points, including two three-pointers. Friday's loss means both teams will now head back to Cleveland for Game 7, with the winner advancing to face either Detroit or Orlando.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Strus will start Wednesday's Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Raptors, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
After shooting 0-for-5 from the field across 21 minutes of action in Sunday's Game 4 loss, Strus will get the starting nod over Dean Wade on Wednesday. As a starter during the 2025-26 regular season (five games), Strus averaged 10.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.6 minutes per tilt.
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