Max Strus sent a message to his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates on Monday that in hindsight probably should have stayed in the drafts.
The Cavaliers entered Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers with the threat of elimination looming. Strus, a six-year veteran with NBA Finals experience, tried to motivate the Cavaliers heading into the do-or-die matchup at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
On the TNT broadcast prior to Tuesday’s tipoff, courtside reporter Jared Greenberg shared that Strus had sent a stern text message to every single one of his teammates a day before the game.
Cavaliers wing Max Strus dribbles a ball
Mar 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
“If you don’t believe, then don’t show up for work,” Strus’ text reportedly read.
Max Strus sent out a group message to the Cavs before game 5
“If you don’t believe, don’t show up for work.”
Max Strus went 0/9 and the Cavs were eliminated
pic.twitter.com/UoEYmKKBqs
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) May 14, 2025
Strus ironically ended up being the one who did not “show up for work.” He went scoreless in Game 5, missing all nine of his shot attempts across 26 minutes. The no-show in the contest from the Cavs’ best floor spacer was a big reason why Cleveland fell 114-105.
Before Game 5, the sharpshooting forward was one of the Cavaliers’ most consistent performers in the East semifinals. He was the team’s fourth-leading scorer at 15.3 points per game through the series’ first four contests. But his hot hand was completely doused on Tuesday by a swarming Pacers defense.
It didn’t help that Donovan Mitchell missed three straight free throws with the Cavs down six in crunch time. Cleveland lost the series 4-1 as Indiana advanced to its second straight Eastern Conference Finals.