The Cleveland Cavaliers finally managed to get past the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The 31-point road victory at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night secured Cleveland’s spot in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.
And it was Donovan Mitchell leading the way for the Cavs in an emphatic 125-94 win. Shortly after the victory, he sent out a message of appreciation for the Cleveland fans.
Donovan Mitchell’s Game 7 Dominance Sends the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals
While James Harden was underwhelming with a 9-point game on Sunday night, the Cavaliers received massive contributions across the roster to help break through the second-round ceiling.
Jarrett Allen recorded 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Evan Mobley finished with a comprehensive stat line of his own: 21 points, 12 boards, and 6 assists in 36 minutes of action.
The Cavs also found an unexpected source of production in Sam Merrill, who finished with 23 points off the bench.
Having never made it to the conference finals during his time with the Utah Jazz or his early years in Cleveland, Mitchell ended his semifinals frustrations. The seven-time All-Star led Cleveland’s charge with a game-high 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists.
He played 31 minutes and controlled the pace against a Detroit defense that had no answers to Cleveland’s gritty approach.
Mitchell took to social media shortly after the final buzzer to address the fanbase and wrote, “Cleveland I love yall Wouldn’t be here without yall!!”
Cleveland I love yall ❤️ Wouldn’t be here without yall!!
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 18, 2026
Talking about getting to his first conference finals, Mitchell remarked, “A breath of fresh air. But this wasn’t the goal when we started the season. Even last year… we had our goals set on getting to the NBA Finals. And we’re just one step closer… it’s been almost a decade of running into the same issue. I personally and as a team, we can breathe a little bit.”
Donovan Mitchell on making his first conference finals in his 9th NBA season:
“A breath of fresh air.” pic.twitter.com/M0wKQsjMsW
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 18, 2026
He also became the first guard since Kobe Bryant to end up with 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists without giving away a single turnover in a Game 7.
Meanwhile, for the Pistons, it was a night to forget. Entering the postseason as the top seed in the East after a massive 60-win regular season, Detroit simply did not look prepared for the physical intensity and mental strain of a Game 7.
Cade Cunningham, who had carried Detroit for much of the playoffs, failed to find his rhythm in the biggest game of his professional career.
The 24-year-old managed just 13 points on 5-of-16 from the field and missed all 7 of his 3-point attempts, ending the night with a dismal game-worst minus-32 rating.
Detroit’s supporting cast could not stop the bleeding or generate any reliable offense to bail out Cunningham, as Daniss Jenkins led the team with a modest 17 points.
Cleveland now prepares to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks advanced after dispatching the Philadelphia 76ers with a four-game sweep, setting up a heavyweight clash in the East.
