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.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Retreats to bench in Game 1 loss
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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.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting Game 7
Rotowire
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.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Drops 20 points in Game 5 win
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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.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Scores 19 off bench
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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: Passive performance Friday
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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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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Ice cold in loss Sunday
Rotowire
Strus chipped in one point (0-5 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and seven rebounds over 21 minutes during Sunday's 93-89 loss to the Raptors in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Strus missed all five of his shot attempts, turning in a disappointing performance on both ends of the floor. His production thus far has been sporadic, going for 24 points and 15 points in Games 1 and 3, while managing just six points and one point in Games 2 and 4, respectively. Both teams will now travel back to Cleveland for Game 5, where the Cavaliers will look to bounce back after consecutive losses on the road.
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Cavaliers' Evan Mobley: Efficient in Game 1 win
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Mobley finished Saturday's 126-113 win over Toronto in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 17 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds and four assists over 33 minutes.
Mobley scored all of his points through the first three quarters (including eight in the third frame) and finished as the Cavaliers' fourth-leading scorer behind Donovan Mitchell (32 points), Max Strus (24 points) and James Harden (22 points). Mobley didn't record a steal or block during Saturday's win, which is somewhat notable given that he averaged 2.4 stocks per game during the regular season. His presence is felt much more on the defensive side of the floor, striking a nice balance with the offensive firepower that comes from Mitchell and Harden.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Erupts for 24 off bench in Game 1
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Strus ended with 24 points (8-10 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and three rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 126-113 victory over Toronto in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
It was the best performance of Strus' career in a playoff game, topping the 23 points he produced in Game 2 of last season's second-round exit against the Pacers. Strus has delivered more than 20 points in three of his last eight games dating back to March 27 and drained multiple three-pointers in five of those contests, shooting 43.1 percent from beyond the arc during that stretch.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting vs. Atlanta
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Strus will start Friday's game against the Hawks.
With Donovan Mitchell (ankle) out, Strus will enter the starting five. As a starter this season (three games), he has averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 27.3 minutes per contest.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Not starting in return
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Strus won't start Wednesday's game against the Hawks, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
Strus is set to return from a one-game absence for maintenance purposes, though Dean Wade will get the starting nod. Strus has averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.0 minutes per game over six appearances off the bench this season.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Won't suit up Monday
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Strus (foot) is out for Monday's game against Memphis.
This is a maintenance day for the sharpshooter for the second leg of this back-to-back set. Strus had a tough showing Sunday against the Pacers with four points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Returns after brief exit Sunday
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Strus (hand) returned to Sunday's game against Indiana, Danny Cunningham of Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan Cleveland reports.
Strus injured his left hand in the first half and exited to the locker room. However, despite having the hand taped, he was back on the floor to begin the third quarter.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Starting Tuesday
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Strus will start Tuesday's game against the Lakers.
With Sam Merrill (hamstring) sidelined, Strus will draw his first start of the season. Over six appearances this season, the 30-year-old forward is averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.0 minutes per contest.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Good to go Tuesday
Rotowire
Strus (foot) will be available for Tuesday's game against the Lakers.
Strus is no longer on the injury report after missing Monday's game against Utah for injury management. In six appearances this season, Strus holds averages of 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Ruled out for Monday
Rotowire
Strus (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Jazz.
Strus will miss the front end of this back-to-back set due to left foot injury management, and his next opportunity to suit up will come Tuesday against the Lakers. With Jaylon Tyson (toe) and Dean Wade (ankle) also sidelined, Keon Ellis, Sam Merrill and Nae'Qwan Tomlin are all likely to see increased playing time.
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Cavaliers' Max Strus: Huge night from three vs. Miami
Rotowire
Strus posted 29 points (10-14 FG, 8-11 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds and one assist over 23 minutes during the Cavaliers' 149-128 win over the Heat on Friday.
Strus helped the Cavaliers build a commanding lead early on, scoring 22 of his game-high 29 points in the first half. It was the third time in his NBA career that he connected on eight triples, and he was one shy from tying a career high he set Jan. 31, 2022, also against Miami. Friday's contest demonstrated Strus' value to the team, especially in games where either one or both of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden struggle from the field.
