The Cleveland Cavaliers reached the Conference finals for the first time since 2018 after dominating the Detroit Pistons 125-94 in Game 7. Cleveland completed a 4-3 series victory and advanced to face the New York Knicks for a place in the NBA Finals, finally moving beyond the second round after two straight exits.
Cleveland spread the scoring load in the decisive game, with four Cavaliers finishing on at least 20 points, while no Pistons player scored more than 17. The result ended Detroit’s playoff run as the Eastern Conference’s number one seed and extended Cleveland’s campaign into another best-of-seven showdown.
Donovan Mitchell again set the tone on offence, scoring 26 points and reflecting on how long the franchise had chased this breakthrough.
Mitchell said, "Even last year, when we lost to Indiana, we had our goals set on getting to the Finals. We're just one step closer," before describing the wider relief within the organisation.
Mitchell added, "But yeah, it's been almost a decade of running into the same issue. So for sure, I personally, and as a team, we can breathe a little bit. " That sense of progress came after Cleveland’s previous Conference finals trip in 2018, which was LeBron James’ last season with the Cavaliers.
ECF BOUND.@Redfin | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/ionghPy5hACleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 18, 2026
Key numbers from the Game 7 win and series outcome for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons in the Conference finals race are set out below.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson underlined how the group had targeted this level since training camp. Atkinson said: "It does mean something. This was the next step for us. First day of training camp, I put up the playoff record over the last three years, 11-15. "
Atkinson continued: "I've been saying all year we have a lot to prove. We still have more to prove. That's the next part of it, but we proved something to ourselves, that we could take that another step. " The coach framed the achievement as progress rather than an endpoint.
On the other side, Detroit missed a chance to join the 2007 and 2008 Boston Celtics as the only number one seeds to win their first two playoff series in seven games. The Pistons’ heavy defeat meant their strong regular season did not extend into a deep playoff run, despite high expectations.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff focused on the full body of work rather than the final result. Bickerstaff said, "They finished as the number one seed in the East. It's not a disappointment at all. And not ever will I be disappointed in these guys," stressing the effort shown across the campaign.
Bickerstaff added, "These guys, every single day gave us what they got. So, it is not a disappointment. It's a loss and it's a tough loss, but that adjective will never be used with this group. " The comments framed the series defeat as painful yet still constructive.
Cade Cunningham echoed that view and pointed to Detroit’s growth during the year. Cunningham said, "Obviously, disappointing series right here. Fell short of doing enough of the right things to win the series," before reminding that the Pistons’ regular season form reflected a clear rise in standards.
Cunningham also said, "But, we were the No. 1 seed for a reason. We won a lot of games this year. We played great basketball all year long and really established an identity and stuff that we didn't have for a long time. So, all those things are positives and things that we'll take into the offseason and come back next year and grow from. "
The Cavaliers now prepare for a Conference finals meeting with the Knicks, carrying confidence from their balanced Game 7 display and newfound belief after years of frustration. Detroit, despite the abrupt finish, move into the offseason with a number one seed, a defined identity and clear targets for further improvement.
