Max Strus

Inbounds passes yielded hit-or-miss results for Max Strus and the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but when everything coalesced perfectly, the results proved to be quite unmissable. As if concluding that May 6, 2025’s already-impressive, hot-shooting highlight reel required extra ingredients, Strus challenges Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers’ full-court press to a track meet, breaking free to create a unique transition opportunity. Inviting full-on chaos during just dunk No. 11 of his 2024-25 season, Cleveland’s long-haired sharpshooter flows through the wind for an acrobatic one-handed throwdown, bringing the fittingly-named Rocket Arena to its feet in celebration. Strus, often described as the “ultimate role player,” elevated his game on the postseason stage, even as the Pacers victoriously charged back from a 20-point deficit. In the highest-scoring playoff performance of his career to date, Strus tallied 23 points (on 8-of-18 shooting), eight rebounds, four assists, and five 3-pointers.