Cavaliers Defeat Warriors Behind Strus' 24 Points

Cleveland holds off Golden State in close battle on the road

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:34am by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the motion and intensity of a basketball game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, with fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes representing the players' movements and the competitive nature of the contest.The Cavaliers' hard-fought victory over the Warriors showcases the raw energy and competitive spirit of professional basketball.San Francisco Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors 118-111 in San Francisco on Thursday night, led by a 24-point performance from guard Max Strus. Strus hit two crucial 3-pointers late in the game, and teammate James Harden drove for a clinching layup in the final seconds to secure the victory for the Cavaliers.

Why it matters

This win is an important one for the Cavaliers, who are looking to solidify their position in the NBA playoff race. The Warriors, meanwhile, are trying to bounce back from a disappointing season and regain their status as one of the league's elite teams.

The details

Strus led the Cavaliers with 24 points, including two clutch 3-pointers down the stretch that helped Cleveland hold off a late Warriors comeback attempt. Harden added a key driving layup in the final seconds to seal the victory. The game was closely contested throughout, with neither team able to pull away until the Cavaliers made their final push.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 3, 2026 in San Francisco.

The players

Max Strus

A guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers who scored a team-high 24 points in the win.

James Harden

A veteran guard for the Cavaliers who made a crucial driving layup in the final seconds to seal the victory.

Golden State Warriors

The home team that was defeated by the Cavaliers in this close matchup.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The visiting team that came away with the 118-111 win over the Warriors.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a talented Warriors team, but our guys really stepped up when it mattered most.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Head Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers

What’s next

The Cavaliers will look to build on this road win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Warriors will try to regroup and get back on track at home.

The takeaway

This was an important victory for the Cavaliers, who showed resilience and clutch play down the stretch to defeat one of the league's more talented teams on the road. The win could provide a boost of momentum as Cleveland fights for a postseason berth.