Max Strus made all the difference Tuesday night for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the closing moments of a basketball game don’t get more cinematic than this … 

The Cavs put their fans through a blender of emotions, facing off against the Dallas Mavericks. It all came down to a final shot attempt by Cavs small forward Max Strus, who heaved the ball 59 feet, down 119-118 to the Mavs. 

Cleveland held the lead, 118-117, before Mavericks guard P.J. Washington drove into the paint for a tough layup. Washington flexed at the Cavaliers after his score, with 2.6 seconds on the clock. It was too early a celebration … 2.6 seconds later, Washington found himself disgusted by Strus’ game-winner (womp womp). 

Strus was hot from three before his absurd game-winner. He nailed five clutch three-point shots, including the winner, in the final three minutes of action to complete a Cleveland comeback. The Cavs faced a 10-point pit with in the final minutes.

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse ate up every one of Strus’ clutch shots down the stretch. 

For the game-winner, Strus unbounded the ball to Evan Mobley, and received the ball back before taking one dribble and throwing up the 59-footer that was nothing but nylon. 

The shot went in and the clock ran out. Cleveland won the thriller over Dallas, 121-119. Strus’ game-winner became the second-longest game-winner in NBA history. He finished with 21 points on 7 of 12 shooting. Former Oklahoma City guard Devonte’ Graham holds the record for longest game-winner at 61 feet.

Dallas sauntered home with an L despite Luka Doncic’s 45 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds.

Strus, a Miami Heatle-turned-Cav, received immense praise from Cavs personnel, including coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

“[Strus] was the guy,” Bickerstaff said after the game. “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.”

Follow along on X:@AlejandroAveela