Max Strus randomly headbutts Scottie Barnes in Cavs-Raptors Game 7, lucky to avoid flagrant 2 ejection
What was Max Strus thinking here?
With Game 7 in the balance Sunday, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus randomly headbutted Toronto Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes. He was issued a flagrant 1 foul after a replay review. He was lucky to have avoided a flagrant 2 penalty and an ejection.
The incident took place late in the third quarter as the Cavaliers held a 76-61 lead. Cleveland had just scored a bucket, and Barnes took the inbounds pass under the basket on Toronto’s ensuing possession. Then — apparently unprovoked — Strus leaned down and drove the crown of his head into Barnes’ chin.
Max Strus Flagrant foul on Scottie Barnes. pic. twitter.
com/Fs3zSUnaGI — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 4, 2026 Here’s the full sequence. Officials immediately blew the play dead before the NBC broadcast realized what had happened. Stus was initially called for a personal foul that was upgraded to a flagrant 1 upon review.