The Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats tell the story of one of the most competitive Eastern Conference playoff series of the 2025-26 NBA season. What started with Cleveland winning the opening regular-season meeting turned into a seven-game playoff battle that went all the way to the final game at Little Caesars Arena.
The two teams split their two regular-season meetings. Cleveland won the first matchup 116-95 on October 27, 2025, behind 35 points from Donovan Mitchell, while Detroit answered with a 114-110 road victory on January 4, 2026.
Then came the playoffs. The No. 1-seeded Pistons and No. 4 Cavaliers met in the Eastern Conference semifinals, producing seven games, several huge individual performances and a deciding Game 7. Cleveland ultimately won the series 4-3, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Player Stats at a Glance
| Category | Detroit Pistons | Cleveland Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Regular-Season Record | 60-22 | 52-30 |
| Eastern Conference Seed | No. 1 | No. 4 |
| Regular-Season Series | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Playoff Series | 3 wins | 4 wins |
| Leading 2025-26 Scorer | Cade Cunningham – 23.9 PPG | Donovan Mitchell – 27.2 PPG* |
| Leading Rebounder | Jalen Duren – 10.5 RPG | Evan Mobley – 9.7 RPG* |
| Leading Playmaker | Cade Cunningham – 9.9 APG | James Harden – 6.6 APG* |
| Head Coach | J.B. Bickerstaff | Kenny Atkinson |
*Regular-season figures shown from 2025-26 team statistics; playoff performance varied considerably by series.
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers: 2025-26 Season Series
The regular-season meetings were almost a preview of what was to come.
October 27, 2025: Cavaliers 116, Pistons 95
Cleveland controlled the first meeting from the opening quarters. Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points in only 29 minutes, shooting 13-of-18 from the field. Jarrett Allen added 20 points and seven rebounds, while Evan Mobley produced 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
The turning point came during the second quarter. Cleveland put together a 14-0 run, transforming a seven-point advantage into a 43-26 lead.
Detroit struggled to take care of the basketball. Cade Cunningham finished with only 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting and committed five turnovers. The Cavaliers eventually led by as many as 35 points before winning 116-95.
January 4, 2026: Pistons 114, Cavaliers 110
Detroit responded months later with a very different performance.
Cade Cunningham scored 27 points, while Daniss Jenkins exploded for 25 points off the bench. Jenkins was particularly spectacular in the second quarter, scoring 21 points on 7-of-7 shooting, including six made three-pointers. NBA.com’s game recap noted that the outburst set a Pistons franchise record for points by a reserve in a single quarter.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points, while Darius Garland scored 16. Evan Mobley and Sam Merrill each contributed 15.
Detroit also went a perfect 21-for-21 from the free-throw line, an important detail in a four-point road victory.
That win was significant for Detroit because it ended a nine-game losing streak at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena and gave the Pistons their second win in 15 meetings against the Cavaliers at that point.
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff Player Stats
The seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal was where the matchup became truly fascinating.
Detroit entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed after finishing 60-22, while Cleveland finished fourth at 52-30. Detroit had the league’s third-best scoring defense by points allowed per game, while Cleveland averaged 119.5 points during the regular season.
The series results were:
| Game | Date | Result | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 5 | Pistons 111-101 | Tied at 23 points |
| Game 2 | May 7 | Pistons 107-97 | Donovan Mitchell – 31 |
| Game 3 | May 9 | Cavaliers 116-109 | Donovan Mitchell – 35 |
| Game 4 | May 11 | Cavaliers 112-103 | Donovan Mitchell – 43 |
| Game 5 | May 13 | Cavaliers 117-113 OT | Cade Cunningham – 39 |
| Game 6 | May 15 | Pistons 115-94 | James Harden – 23 |
| Game 7 | May 17 | Cavaliers 125-94 | Donovan Mitchell – 26 |
Cleveland won the series 4-3.
The results also show how quickly the momentum changed. Detroit won Games 1 and 2, Cleveland responded with three consecutive victories, Detroit forced Game 7 with a 21-point Game 6 win, and Cleveland closed the series with a 31-point victory in Detroit.
Game 7: Cleveland Cavaliers 125, Detroit Pistons 94
For anyone searching for the most recent Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats, Game 7 is the key box score.
Cleveland won 125-94, turning a close series into a decisive finish. Evan Mobley was particularly influential, recording 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two blocks while shooting 7-of-10 from the field. His plus/minus was +31.
Donovan Mitchell added 26 points, while Jarrett Allen scored 20 and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Cavaliers also received nine points from Max Strus.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham finished with 13 points, four rebounds and five assists, but struggled to find his shooting rhythm. He went 5-of-16 from the field and missed all seven of his three-point attempts.
Daniss Jenkins provided 17 points, while Jalen Duren recorded seven points and nine rebounds.
Game 7 Player Stats
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Mobley | Cavaliers | 21 | 12 | 6 | 7/10 |
| Jarrett Allen | Cavaliers | 20 | 10 | — | — |
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers | 26 | — | — | — |
| Max Strus | Cavaliers | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3/7 |
| Cade Cunningham | Pistons | 13 | 4 | 5 | 5/16 |
| Daniss Jenkins | Pistons | 17 | 3 | 5 | 4/12 |
| Jalen Duren | Pistons | 7 | 9 | 3 | 3/7 |
| Ausar Thompson | Pistons | 5 | 7 | 0 | 2/7 |
| Tobias Harris | Pistons | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0/6 |
Game 7 statistics:
Cade Cunningham vs Donovan Mitchell: The Central Matchup
Much of the attention naturally centered on Cade Cunningham vs Donovan Mitchell.
Cunningham was Detroit’s offensive engine throughout the season. He averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists over 64 regular-season games, shooting 46.1% from the field and 34.2% from three-point range.
Mitchell provided a different kind of scoring threat. His ability to create his own shot, attack the rim and generate three-point attempts gave Cleveland an explosive perimeter option.
The playoff series illustrated that contrast perfectly.
Mitchell produced some of his best basketball when the pressure increased. He scored 31 points in Game 2, 35 in Game 3 and a series-high 43 points in Game 4. He then scored 26 in the deciding Game 7.
Cunningham had his own signature performance. In Game 5, with Detroit facing a 3-1 series deficit, he scored 39 points and handed out nine assists, keeping the Pistons alive in a game Cleveland eventually won 117-113 in overtime.
Across the entire 2026 playoffs, Mitchell finished with 468 points, while Cunningham had 394. James Harden finished with 345 points for Cleveland.
Jalen Duren vs Evan Mobley: The Battle Inside
The backcourt stars received most of the headlines, but the frontcourt matchup was equally important.
Detroit’s Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 regular season. His strength around the basket made him one of Detroit’s primary interior scoring and rebounding options.
Evan Mobley brought a broader offensive and defensive skill set for Cleveland. During the regular season, he averaged 18.5 points and 9.7 rebounds while contributing as a passer and rim protector.
The playoff numbers show why the matchup mattered.
Duren repeatedly controlled the glass. He had 12 rebounds in Game 1, 10 in Game 2 and 11 in Game 6.
Mobley, however, delivered the defining performance when the series was on the line. His Game 7 line of 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two blocks was one of the most complete performances of the series.
What the Detroit Pistons Do Well
Detroit’s 60-22 regular-season record was not an accident. The Pistons built their success around a combination of Cunningham’s playmaking, Duren’s interior presence and an aggressive defensive identity.
The team averaged 117.8 points per game and allowed only 109.6, ranking third in the NBA in points allowed per game. Their defensive rating of 109.7 also ranked second.
Key Detroit strengths
- Cade Cunningham’s playmaking: 9.9 assists per game.
- Jalen Duren’s rebounding: 10.5 rebounds per game.
- Interior defense: Detroit finished second in defensive rating.
- Wing defense: Ausar Thompson averaged 2.0 steals per game and earned All-Defensive First Team recognition.
- Transition opportunities: Detroit could turn defensive stops into quick scoring chances.
The Pistons were also much more than Cunningham. Tobias Harris provided veteran scoring and spacing, while Duncan Robinson gave the team a high-volume three-point option.
What Made Cleveland Difficult to Stop
Cleveland’s offensive profile was different.
The Cavaliers averaged 119.5 points per game, fourth in the NBA during the regular season. Their offensive rating of 119.2 ranked sixth.
That attack could come from several directions.
Donovan Mitchell supplied isolation scoring and perimeter pressure. James Harden brought another experienced ball handler and pick-and-roll creator. Mobley and Allen gave Cleveland two legitimate interior threats.
That variety became particularly useful during the playoff series.
When Detroit concentrated defensive attention on Mitchell, Cleveland could use Harden’s playmaking. When Detroit tried to protect the perimeter, Mobley and Allen could attack closer to the basket.
Game 4: Donovan Mitchell’s 43-Point Explosion
One of the defining moments of the series came in Game 4.
Cleveland entered the matchup with the series tied 2-2 after Detroit had won the opening two games and Cleveland had taken Game 3.
Mitchell responded with 43 points, while Mobley posted 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and five blocks. Cleveland won 112-103 to take a 3-2 series advantage.
For Mitchell, it was more than just a high scoring total. The performance came in a game where Cleveland needed a response after Detroit had established early control of the series.
His ability to repeatedly create offense kept Cleveland from falling behind in the matchup.
Game 6: Detroit Forces a Decider
With Cleveland leading the series 3-2, Detroit returned to Rocket Arena for Game 6 with its season on the line.
The Pistons answered emphatically.
Detroit won 115-94, tying the series at 3-3 and forcing a decisive Game 7. Ausar Thompson was particularly productive, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals while shooting 4-of-6.
The 21-point victory showed that Detroit still had the defensive intensity and physicality that had carried it to the Eastern Conference’s best regular-season record.
But the final chapter belonged to Cleveland.
Why Game 7 Was So Different
The final score — 125-94 — tells only part of the story.
Cleveland’s shooting efficiency was a major factor. Mobley shot 70% from the field, while Allen went 8-for-11 and finished with 20 points. Mitchell added 26.
Detroit could not generate the same offensive efficiency.
Cunningham’s 5-for-16 shooting included an 0-for-7 night from three-point range. Harris went 0-for-6 from the field, while Duren scored only seven points.
That combination — Cleveland converting efficiently while Detroit struggled to score — produced the decisive 31-point margin.
2025-26 Detroit Pistons Key Player Statistics
| Player | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham | 64 | 23.9 | 5.5 | 9.9 | 46.1% |
| Jalen Duren | 70 | 19.5 | 10.5 | 2.0 | 65.0% |
| Tobias Harris | 63 | 13.3 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 46.9% |
| Duncan Robinson | 77 | 12.2 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 45.6% |
| Ausar Thompson | 73 | 9.9 | 5.7 | 3.1 | 52.5% |
2025-26 regular-season statistics.
Cunningham’s season was particularly notable because he combined nearly 24 points per game with 9.9 assists, making him one of the NBA’s most productive primary playmakers.
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Key Numbers to Remember
If you only want the most important numbers from the matchup, these are the ones worth keeping:
- 60-22: Detroit’s 2025-26 regular-season record.
- 52-30: Cleveland’s regular-season record.
- 1-1: Regular-season head-to-head record.
- 4-3: Cleveland’s playoff series victory.
- 43: Donovan Mitchell’s Game 4 scoring total.
- 39: Cade Cunningham’s Game 5 scoring total.
- 125-94: Cleveland’s Game 7 victory.
- 21: Evan Mobley’s Game 7 points.
- 12: Mobley’s Game 7 rebounds.
- 9.9: Cunningham’s regular-season assists per game.
- 10.5: Duren’s regular-season rebounds per game.
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Timeline
October 27, 2025
Cleveland defeats Detroit 116-95. Donovan Mitchell scores 35.
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January 4, 2026
Detroit responds with a 114-110 road win. Cade Cunningham scores 27 and Daniss Jenkins adds 25.
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May 5, 2026 — Playoff Game 1
Detroit wins 111-101.
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May 7 — Game 2
Detroit wins 107-97 and takes a 2-0 lead.
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May 9 — Game 3
Cleveland wins 116-109.
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May 11 — Game 4
Cleveland wins 112-103 behind Mitchell’s 43 points.
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May 13 — Game 5
Cleveland wins 117-113 in overtime despite Cunningham’s 39 points.
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May 15 — Game 6
Detroit wins 115-94 and forces Game 7.
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May 17 — Game 7
Cleveland wins 125-94 and takes the series 4-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the most points in the Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers playoff series?
Donovan Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer during the series and produced several huge games, including 43 points in Game 4. He also scored 35 in Game 3 and 31 in Game 2.
What were Cade Cunningham’s stats in the 2026 playoffs?
Cunningham finished the 2026 playoffs with 394 total points, 105 assists and 72 rebounds across 14 games. He averaged 28.1 points per game in the postseason based on those totals.
Who won the Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers series?
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinal series 4-3. Cleveland won Game 7 in Detroit, 125-94.
How many points did Donovan Mitchell score in Game 4?
Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points in Cleveland’s 112-103 Game 4 victory.
How many points did Cade Cunningham score in Game 5?
Cunningham scored 39 points in Game 5, along with nine assists, but Cleveland won 117-113 in overtime.
Who had the most rebounds in Game 7?
Evan Mobley led the game with 12 rebounds. He also scored 21 points and added six assists and two blocks.
Did the Pistons beat the Cavaliers during the regular season?
Yes. The teams split their two regular-season meetings. Cleveland won 116-95 on October 27, 2025, while Detroit won 114-110 in Cleveland on January 4, 2026.
Why was the Pistons-Cavaliers series important?
The series featured the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed against the No. 4 seed and went the full seven games. Detroit’s 60-22 regular-season record made it the conference’s top seed, while Cleveland ultimately advanced after winning three consecutive games in the middle of the series and then taking Game 7.
Final Takeaway
The Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats from the 2025-26 season show just how evenly matched the teams could be. Detroit won the regular season’s second meeting and took a 2-0 lead in the playoff series, but Cleveland repeatedly found answers when the pressure increased.
Cunningham delivered the playmaking and scoring Detroit needed, while Duren controlled stretches of the interior. On Cleveland’s side, Mitchell provided explosive scoring, Harden added veteran playmaking and Mobley became increasingly influential as the series progressed.
The deciding Game 7 captured the entire matchup in one night: Cleveland’s frontcourt was efficient, Mitchell provided scoring pressure, and Detroit’s primary offensive options struggled to convert. The Cavaliers walked away with a 125-94 victory and a 4-3 series win, closing one of the most dramatic playoff matchups of the 2025-26 Eastern Conference postseason.
