Max Strus modestly claimed he “got lucky” after netting a 59-foot three-pointer on the buzzer to hand the Cleveland Cavaliers a thrilling 121-119 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavs led with 2.9 seconds remaining only for Strus to take control and score his fifth ‘three’ in the final four minutes to hand the home side the win and send the crowd at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse into raptures.
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Asked about it afterwards, he told Bally Sports: “I don’t know. Donovan Mitchell was out of the game, so somebody else had to step up. I got lucky.”
Dallas’ star guard Luka Doncic, who scored 45 points and added 14 assists in a losing effort, was a little more descriptive. He said: “Incredible shot. That was just an incredible shot.
“It was my fault, I should have pressed forward [on Strus]. I thought we played a good game, but that was rough, obviously.”
HALFCOURT. GAME WINNER. MAX STRUS. #LETEMKNOW pic.twitter.com/HtfZ9RRNGL
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 28, 2024
Basketball Reference makes Strus’ effort the second-longest game-winning shot in the history of the three-point era – second only to Devonte’ Graham’s effort for the New Orleans Pelicans against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021..
Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff said: “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.
“Max never quits. He just kept making play after play after play on both ends.”
