Cavs win Game 7 125-94, advance to Eastern Conference finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers are headed to the Eastern Conference finals after a 125-94 win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 on Sunday, May 17, at Little Caesars Arena. Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, and Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill added 23 apiece as Cleveland closed the second-round series on the road, according to NBA and Associated Press game reports. The result sent the Cavaliers into a conference finals matchup with the New York Knicks. NBA playoff schedule listings show Game 1 is set for Tuesday, May 19, at Madison Square Garden. ### How decisive was Game 7? The 125-94 final was Cleveland's largest margin of the series and turned the deciding game into a one-sided finish. NBA.com said the Cavaliers led wire-to-wire in the win, while the Associated Press reported Cleveland used a balanced scoring night to pull away from Detroit. Donovan Mitchell finished with 26 points and eight assists, according to NBA playoff coverage. Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each scored 23 points, giving Cleveland three players at 23 or more in the clincher. ### Who carried Cleveland offensively? Mitchell was Cleveland's top scorer, but the production was spread across the lineup. The Associated Press account listed Allen and Merrill alongside Mitchell as the main scorers in the 31-point victory. (nba.com) Sam Merrill's total stood out because it matched Allen's 23 points in a Game 7 on the road. (nba.com) NBA and team coverage also showed Cleveland getting postgame comments from Allen and Mitchell after the win sent the club into the next round. ### What does the result set up next? The New York Knicks are Cleveland's next opponent in the Eastern Conference finals, according to the NBA's official 2026 playoff schedule page. (apnews.com) The bracket listing identifies the series as No. 3 New York against No. 4 Cleveland. Madison Square Garden will host the opening two games. (nba.com) NBA schedule listings and local coverage cited by search results show Game 1 on Tuesday, May 19, and Game 2 on Thursday, May 21, before the series shifts to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. ### Why is the date important here? Monday, May 18, is the day after Cleveland's Game 7 win, and the turnaround to Game 1 is short. (nba.com) The NBA's schedule page says the conference finals begin on May 19 in the East. The earlier context circulating around the matchup appears to have shifted as official schedule pages updated. (nba.com) NBA listings available on May 18 show the East finals opening Tuesday, not Wednesday. That is based on the league's posted playoff schedule and other current schedule aggregations. ### Where can readers verify the matchup and schedule? (nba.com) NBA.com's 2026 playoffs pages list Cleveland as the winner advancing from the Pistons series and show the Cavaliers-Knicks conference finals pairing. The Cavaliers' team page also reflects the upcoming series and carries the Game 7 recap and postgame media availability. The next milestone is Game 1 on Tuesday, May 19, in New York, with Cleveland scheduled to host Games 3 and 4 later in the series, according to the NBA's official playoff schedule. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)