Max Strus surprised the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Dallas took the lead by scoring on P.J. Washington's inside basket with 2.6 seconds left in the game. That's when the Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter broke the hearts of Mavericks fans.Immediately inbound, Strath launched a 59-ft attempt From beyond half court.
The wave reached the bottom of the net and sent Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse into a frenzy. (Clip via ClutchPoints)
What is the ending of CAVS-MAVS?
Max Strus wins from half court 🔥pic.twitter.com/ewGVTM0zGL
— Clutch Points (@ClutchPoints) February 28, 2024
Of course, it was all cheers, smiles, and laughter from Cavs fans, but the same couldn't be said for the Dallas fandom.Mavericks community after the game let them know of their despair All over social media.
i'm not okay
pic.twitter.com/SZhiaTCH1P— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) February 28, 2024
Max Straussful Court Hey Game Winner pic.twitter.com/v7mkJpEOZu
— Joe (@MavsStan41) February 28, 2024
'Max Strass' ruins all Luca games pic.twitter.com/SUX0d5m6Ix
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) February 28, 2024
Users also focused their anger on referees who they felt were unfair to Mavericks players.
“How did the Mavs break the lead??”
The umpires said this all night.
pic.twitter.com/ylNaKa0tcr— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) February 28, 2024
I can't stand looking at this man. Who paid for REFS? pic.twitter.com/yhikUUZhNb
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) February 28, 2024
One Mavericks fan even felt that Dallas forward P.J. Washington was fouled during a bucket late in the game.
I can't say the pajama bucket wasn't a foul and should have been an and-1.
Just one of many calls that upset the Mavs in the fourth.
pic.twitter.com/cH3XcI8IT1— Val 🪄 (@Val_Hoops) February 28, 2024
Beyond the game winner, what made this loss even more painful for Dallas fans was how the Mavericks were able to erase a 15-point deficit in the second quarter. Thanks to Luka Doncic's scoring, Dallas rallied and made it a close game again by halftime.
In the fourth quarter, the Mavericks extended their lead to 10 points. Unfortunately for them, Cleveland didn't flinch and it all ended with a crazy game-winner from Max Strus.
Doncic had a near triple-double with 45 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds. Kyrie Irving followed with 30 points, making 5 of 8 3-point shots (62.5%) and grabbing 6 rebounds.
The Mavericks are looking to avenge Wednesday's disappointing loss to the Toronto Raptors.
About the author
Brian Buyawe is a sports enthusiast with a passion for basketball, football and Formula One. His hobbies are running, reading, recreation and playing in his league. As a child, Brian stumbled across an old Larry Bird documentary in his family's movie collection, which made him a lifelong Celtics fan.
