Mitchell Leads Cavaliers Past Pistons in Game 7 to Secure Eastern Finals Berth

Key Takeaways:

• Donovan Mitchell registered 26 points as Cleveland defeated Detroit 125-94 on Sunday night in Game 7
• The Cavaliers have reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018 and will play the New York Knicks on Tuesday in New York
• Detroit shot only 35.3% from the field and scored just 34 points in the paint, compared to Cleveland’s 58

Cleveland Clinch Spot in Conference Finals with Commanding Performance

The Cleveland Cavaliers produced a convincing 125-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night in Game 7, booking their place in the Eastern Conference finals. Donovan Mitchell was the driving force with 26 points, while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill contributed 23 apiece, allowing the fourth-seeded Cavaliers to eliminate the East’s top seed and progress to face the third-seeded New York Knicks. Game 1 of the Cavaliers-Knicks series is set for Tuesday in New York.

TEAM DUB IN G7! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/FUe8FksEDZ

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 18, 2026

Team Effort and Key Contributions

Evan Mobley played a critical role for Cleveland, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds as the club reached the conference finals for the ninth time in franchise history – their deepest progression since LeBron James’ final campaign in 2018.

Mitchell commented on reaching this stage for the first time in his career: “We didn’t just come here just to win a goal,” Mitchell said about making the conference finals for the first time in his career.

“Even last year. when we lost to Indiana, we had our goals set on getting to the (NBA) Finals. We’re just one step closer. It’s been almost a decade of running into the same issue. … As a team, we can breathe a little bit, but the same token, we can only breathe for about 12 hours, and then get right back to it.”

Detroit Fall Short Despite Home Advantage

Daniss Jenkins paced the Pistons with 17 points, with Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson adding 13 each. Detroit, following their Game 6 win on Friday night, fell a win short of their first conference finals appearance since 2008.

Reflecting on the loss, Cunningham stated: “That game sucked,” said Cunningham, who was held 16 points under his playoff average. “Being back home, wanted to get this win in front of our fans. It reminded me of last year, losing on home court. It’s not a great feeling.”

Cavaliers Set the Tone Early and Never Relinquished Control

Cleveland controlled proceedings from the outset, dictating the tempo and stifling Detroit’s offence, before Mitchell erupted with 15 points in the third quarter to help break the game wide open.

The Pistons struggled offensively, making just 35.3% of their field goal attempts and managing 34 points in the paint. In contrast, Cleveland finished with a 50.6% shooting percentage and accumulated 58 points in the paint.

“When we play with force, it’s really a key. Like, force on both ends with our talent, we’re really hard to beat,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “The question we got to answer, we talked about it a lot, is we can’t have force letdowns like Game 6, where we were not the forceful team. But tonight we were, that was a whole difference, our force on both ends.”

Game Flow and Statistic Summary

Cleveland capitalised on Detroit’s cold start, building an early lead by converting missed opportunities into transition points. The Cavaliers led 31-22 after the first quarter, expanded their advantage with a 24-9 surge after Detroit’s two quick second-quarter baskets, and entered halftime up 64-47.

After the interval, Cleveland’s momentum persisted, extending their lead to as much as 35. Detroit only narrowed the gap to within 17 in the third period before the Cavaliers regained control.

“We knew that start was monumental, the start that they knew that we were here, and that we were going to give them some problems,” Atkinson said. “The beginning of the game, that was key, and then coming out of halftime was the same message: ‘We got to win this first five minutes to put them on their on their heels.’”

Looking Ahead

Cleveland now prepare to meet New York on Tuesday, as they look to continue their deepest postseason journey since 2018.