Cavaliers rout Pistons 125-94 to reach Eastern Conference finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018, defeating the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday night. The fourth-seeded Cavaliers ousted the East’s top seed, securing their ninth conference finals appearance in franchise history and their deepest run since LeBron James’ final season with the team.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 26 points, including a pivotal 15-point third quarter that helped the Cavaliers break open the contest. Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each contributed 23 points, while Evan Mobley recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds. The victory marks Mitchell’s first appearance in a conference finals in nine postseasons.

Detroit, which had forced a decisive Game 7 with a 115-94 victory in Game 6, fell short of its first conference finals appearance since 2008. Daniss Jenkins scored 17 points for the Pistons, while Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson each finished with 13 points. The Pistons had held a perfect 5-0 record in home Game 7s earlier in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, including a first-round win against the Orlando Magic.

Cleveland dictated the pace from the opening tip, outscoring Detroit 58-34 in the paint and holding the Pistons to 35.3% field goal shooting compared to Cleveland’s 50.6%. The Cavaliers built a 31-22 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 64-47 at halftime. The 31-point margin of victory is the third-largest all-time by a road team in a Game 7, according to ESPN Research.

The Cavaliers will now face the third-seeded New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. Game 1 of that series is scheduled for Tuesday in New York. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was confirmed as the NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2025-26 season, securing his second consecutive award, as the league’s Western Conference finals continue to loom.