13Breakdown
Performance
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April 18, 2026
Erupts for 24 off bench in Game 1
Strus ended with 24 points (8-10 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and three rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 126-113 victory over Toronto in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Analysis
It was the best performance of Strus' career in a playoff game, topping the 23 points he produced in Game 2 of last season's second-round exit against the Pacers. Strus has delivered more than 20 points in three of his last eight games dating back to March 27 and drained multiple three-pointers in five of those contests, shooting 43.1 percent from beyond the arc during that stretch.
April 18, 2026
Won't start Saturday
Strus won't start Saturday's Game 1 against the Raptors.
Analysis
Strus got the starting nod in Cleveland's final two regular-season games with multiple key contributors out, though he'll slide to the second unit for the start of the playoffs. Over seven regular-season appearances off the bench, he averaged 11.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.6 minutes per tilt.