Cavaliers' Max Strus: Goes scoreless in Game 5 loss
Rotowire
Strus closed Tuesday's 114-105 loss to Indiana in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with zero points (0-9 FG, 0-6 3Pt), seven rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes.
Strus was nowhere to be seen, going scoreless in a game for the first time this season. While he was able to score at least 20 points on two separate occasions during the second-round matchup, Strus' inconsistency on the offensive end mirrored what he delivered during the regular season. After earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland will likely rue plenty of missed opportunities as it shifts its focus to the 2025-26 season.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Team-high six rebounds in loss
Rotowire
Strus racked up 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and one steal in 22 minutes during Sunday's 129-109 loss to the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Strus played 22 minutes in the blowout loss in Game 4. Despite limited time on the floor, the DePaul product led the team in rebounds, along with Tristan Thompson, who also grabbed six boards. Strus is averaging 13.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in these NBA playoffs, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from deep.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Steps up in Game 2
Rotowire
Strus finished with 23 points (8-18 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and four assists over 39 minutes during Tuesday's 120-119 loss to the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Cavaliers were without Darius Garland (toe), Evan Mobley (ankle) and De'Andre Hunter (thumb), so Strus soaked up a ton of usage in Game 2. However, it remains to be seen if any of those players will be able to give it a go during Game 3 on Friday in Indiana, with the Cavaliers already facing a 2-0 deficit.
Strus ended with seven points (2-9 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals in 32 minutes during Sunday's 121-112 loss to the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Strus was unable to have any sort of tangible impact on the game, scoring in single digits for the third time in five postseason games. Although he managed to contribute across other categories, his role as a secondary scorer is what the Cavaliers need the most, especially with Darius Garland sidelined due to a toe injury. Look for Strus to try and amp up his scoring when the two teams meet again Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Held in check
Rotowire
Strus had three points (1-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), five rebounds, four assists and one steal across 21 minutes during Monday's 138-83 victory over Miami in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
On a night in which the Cavaliers put up 138 points, Strus was one of the few players unable to capitalize. He's been solid in the postseason for the most part, to be fair, posting 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 3.0 three-pointers on 46.9 percent shooting through four games.
Strus amassed 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-9 3Pt), nine rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes during Saturday's 124-87 win over the Heat in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The 29-year-old took advantage of the absence of Darius Garland (toe) to put together his best game so far this postseason. Strus has been locked in from beyond the arc, going 11-for-22 on three-point attempts through three games against the Heat heading into a potential series clincher Monday in Game 4.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Efficient shooting in win
Rotowire
Strus had nine points (3-5 FG, 3-5 3Pt), one rebound and one assist across 21 minutes during Sunday's 121-100 victory over Miami in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Strus didn't light up the scoreboard in Game 1 against Miami, but he shot well when given the opportunity, going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Cleveland went on to cruise to a 21-point victory to take the 1-0 series lead.
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Available for Game 1 on Sunday
Rotowire
Strus (knee) is not on the injury report for Game 1 against the Heat on Sunday.
Strus is one of several Cleveland players who will be available for the series opener against the Heat despite not playing in the regular-season finale. Strus averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 38.6 percent from deep in his 50 appearances. He should be a regular for the Cavs in the postseason.
Strus is out for Sunday's game against the Pacers due to right knee injury management.
Strus is one of several regulars who will miss Sunday's regular-season finale for the Cavaliers, who have already locked up the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Strus, a sharpshooter who stretches the floor for the Cavs on offense, should be good to go for the start of the playoffs April 19. He finishes the 2024-25 season with averages of 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 38.6 percent from deep in his 50 appearances (37 starts).
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Team-high five threes in return
Rotowire
Strus registered 19 points (7-15 FG, 5-12 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 35 minutes during Friday's 108-102 victory over the Knicks.
After sitting out Thursday's tilt against the Pacers, Strus nailed a team-high five three-pointers and paced the Cavaliers in swats Friday in his return to the starting lineup. The veteran sharpshooter has settled into a key three-and-D role in 2024-25, averaging 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 three-pointers in 26.8 minutes while shooting 41.8 percent from deep over his last 12 games.
... See More... See Less
Cavaliers' Max Strus: Good to go Friday
Rotowire
Strus (knee) isn't on the injury report for Friday's game versus the Knicks.
Strus will return to action Friday after sitting out the first leg of Cleveland's back-to-back due to a knee issue. Strus should re-enter the Cavaliers' starting lineup against Indiana, especially since Donovan Mitchell (ankle) remains out.
0:54
1:28
0:24
1:54
0:28
1:14
0:56
0:59
1:08
1:10
0:29
2:38
3:25
1:42
2:11
2:17
