The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference finals and ending a two-year drought. Mitchell and his teammates had dominating performances.
DETROIT — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each added 23 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 125-94 on Sunday night in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Game 1 of that series tips off Tuesday in New York. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell shoots on Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins in the first half during game seven of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Evan Mobley had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2018 and the ninth time in team history.
It’s their deepest run since LeBron James’ final season with the franchise. Daniss Jenkins scored 17 points, and Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson each finished with 13 for the Pistons, who fell one win shy of their first conference finals appearance since 2008 after forcing the deciding game with a Game 6 victory Friday night.
The Cavs dictated the pace from the opening tip and never allowed the Pistons to gain traction, then blew open a convincing Game 7 performance when Mitchell scored 15 in the third quarter. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus, right, during the first half of Game 7 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell hugs head coach Kenny Atkinson as he leaves the game against the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter of Game 7 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, May 17, 2026Detroit was outscored in the paint 58-34 and made only 35.3 percent of its field goal attempts, compared to Cleveland’s 50.6 percent. Cleveland capitalized on cold shooting by the Pistons in the opening quarter, turning missed shots into transition baskets while building an early advantage.
The Cavs led 31-22 going to the second, and after Detroit had the first two baskets, Cleveland quickly seized control with a 24-9 run. The Pistons’ offensive struggles only deepened and the Cavs continued to shoot efficiently as they built a commanding 64-47 lead into halftime. The Cavs kept rolling in the second half and led by as much as 35 points. The closest the Pistons were able to get in the half was within 17 in the third quarter.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell shoots on Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins in the first half during game seven of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus, right, during the first half of Game 7 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell hugs head coach Kenny Atkinson as he leaves the game against the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter of Game 7 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, May 17, 2026
NBA Playoffs Cavaliers Mitchell Allen Merrill Pistons Game 7 Eastern Conference Finals New York Detroit Dejanovic Jenkins Celicevic Robinson Cunningham Evan Mobley Daniss Jenkins Cantley Cleveland Kenny Atkinson
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