Pistons' playoff run ends in Game 7 blowout to Cavaliers

DETROIT - For the eighth time in 10 seasons, the top seed in the Eastern Conference has failed to reach the NBA Finals.

The Detroit Pistons are the latest, after seeing their season end Sunday night with a 125-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in front of a sellout crowd inside Little Caesars Arena.

The Pistons had their poorest performance of the season at a critical moment. Four players scored in double figures, with Daniss Jenkins leading the way with 17 points and five assists. Cade Cunningham also finished with a career-playoff low of 13 points on 5-for-16 shooting, 0-for-7 from behind the arc, to go along with five assists and four rebounds in 37 minutes. Duncan Robinson added 13 points off the bench, while Caris LeVert finished with 11.

Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 26 points, adding eight assists and seven rebounds. However, much of the Cavaliers' offensive success came from Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill, who each scored 23 points. Merrill shot 5-for-8 from behind the arc, all coming within the first half. The Cavaliers held a halftime lead against the Pistons, 64-47, and at one point. They led by as many as 35 points.

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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 11:21 PM.