Max Strus’ 59-footer lifts Cavaliers over Mavericks

CLEVELAND – Max Strus made a 59-footer as time expired, his fifth 3-pointer in the final four minutes, to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a wild 121-119 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

After the Mavericks took the lead on PJ Washington's dunk with 2.9 seconds left, the Cavaliers quickly got the ball back to Evan Mobley, who returned it to Strus – who made four 3s in 67 seconds to keep Cleveland close.

Strus then dribbled before launching his shot well past midcourt, officially listed at 59 feet. As he crossed the net, Strus was tackled to the ground by his teammates as the crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse erupted.

“At the end of the day, we have a guy like Max Strus,” Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen said. “Everything is possible.”

According to research from ESPN Stats & Information, Strus is the fourth player in the last 25 seasons to make five 3s in the final four minutes of the game.

“That was him,” Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff said of Strus. “That’s one of the things we’re fortunate about with this group is that every night we have a guy that can step in and make huge plays.”

That memorable shot was the second-longest game-winning buzzer-beater in the 3-point era, according to Basketball Reference. Only Devonte' Graham has hit a longer one – 61 feet – during that span in the New Orleans Pelicans' win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 15, 2021.

“I don't know. Donovan was out of the game, so someone else must have stepped in,” Strus said with a laugh during his post-match on-field interview on Bally Sports. “I was lucky.”

Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, Strus added 21 and Allen 19 for the Cavaliers, who improved to 12-3 since Jan. 26.

“I didn't feel like it was going to be that far. I had a feeling it was going to be close,” Mitchell said in describing Strus' winner. “Just to see it happen, especially with what he did for us in the fourth… it had to be him. We dream of a shot like that.”

Luka Doncic had 45 points and 14 assists a day before turning 25 for the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving added 30 for Dallas, which lost for only the second time in 10 games.

Doncic added nine rebounds, finishing one short of his 11th triple-double.

With Doncic scoring a 3-pointer, Dallas scored 10 straight points to take a 108-98 lead with 4:38 left.

“We should have closed this game out better,” Washington said. “We felt like we should have won that game. To lose like that, it really hurts.”

The Mavericks were still up double digits when Strus heated up, hitting four 3-pointers in just over a minute to bring the Cavs within 113-112.

“Max never gives up,” Bickerstaff said. “He just kept making play after play after play on both ends.”

Doncic's appearance in Cleveland always draws dozens of fans from the city's Slovenian community. After his pre-match warm-up, Doncic went to the stands to sign autographs and pose for photos.

After a sluggish offensive start, the Cavaliers made 7 of 9 3-pointers to start the second quarter while opening a 56-41 lead.

But after a timeout in Dallas, Doncic took over. The All-Star made three 3s in a span of 1:26, dropped two free throws, then made another step-back 3 to score 14 points in the final 2:57 to bring the Mavs within 60 -56 at halftime.

It was Irving's first visit since being traded to Dallas from Brooklyn, and he received a warm ovation during player introductions and again when the Cavs played a tribute video for him during a timeout in the first quarter.

Irving waved to the crowd and formed a heart shape with his hands to show his thanks.

The mercurial guard has a complicated relationship with Cleveland fans. Some remain loyal and will never forget his contributions to the Cavs' 2016 title run while others feel bitter toward Irving after he asked to be traded.

He's been in Dallas for nearly a year and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has high praise for how Irving has fit in after a bumpy exit from the Nets.

“He’s at peace,” Kidd said. “He loves Dallas, the city. He loves his teammates and he plays at a high level.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.