Max Strus' Game-Winning Shot Made NBA History, Cavaliers News

Originally posted on Cleveland Cavaliers on SI
By Tommy Wild | Last updated Feb 27, 2024 11:13 PM ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers ' Tuesday night victory will get replayed countless times on social media and will be remembered by fans for a long time. Max Strus iced the game after he knocked down a game-winning shot from on the opposite side of the floor and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse erupted!

Strus' half-court miracle shot did more than give the Cavs a much-needed win over the Mavericks. It also set NBA history in the process.

This shot traveled 59 feet making it the second-longest game-winning buzzer-beater in NBA history, per Mike Lynch of Basketball Reference. Devonte Graham's 61-foot buzzer-beater against the Toronto Raptors back in 2021 (yes, that one that resurfaces on Twitter from time to time where Kemba Walker turns his back and doesn't see the ball go in) is still considered the longest.

If only Strus could've pulled up just a few feet sooner.

The pure emotion behind the win is enough to make it an all-time great Cavs victory. Both Cleveland and the Dallas Mavericks blew double-digit leads during the game and there were a total of 25 different lead changes. The contest ending in a walk-off, half-court, buzzer-beater is just the cherry on top of a fantastic overall basketball game.

Strus' performance in this victory goes way beyond the last-second shot. He finished the night with 21 points and shot 58% (7-12) and 70% (7-10) from behind the arc. Strus also tied a career-high with five threes in the fourth quarter.

Overall, unreal performance from Strus, what a win for Cleveland, and what a night for the NBA record books.

This article first appeared on Cleveland Cavaliers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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