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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores 18 but struggles in Game 6
Fri, May 15, 2026, 3:50 PM
Donovan Mitchell finished Friday's Game 6 loss to the Pistons with 18 points (6-of-20 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one steal and two three-pointers.
Analysis: While he wasn't as loose with the basketball as backcourt partner James Harden, who recorded eight turnovers, Mitchell struggled on Friday. Spida shot 30 percent from the field, and his inefficient shooting was one reason the Cavaliers could not close out the series. In three prior Game 7 appearances, Mitchell has averaged 27.7 points on 42 percent shooting from the field. He'll need to be elite on Sunday if the Cavaliers are to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2018. |
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Evan Mobley Evan Mobley records 18/6/2/2/2 line in Game 6
Fri, May 15, 2026, 3:49 PM
Evan Mobley recorded 18 points (6-of-14 FGs, 4-of-8 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Friday's Game 6 loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: Mobley recorded a complete stat line on Friday, but it wasn't enough to compensate for Cleveland's 19 turnovers, which Detroit converted into 25 points. Last season's Defensive Player of the Year has put up impressive numbers this series, totaling nine steals and 17 blocks through six games. Jarrett Allen (13/8/1/1/1) also recorded solid numbers in Game 6, and the Cavaliers will need more of the same in Sunday's decisive Game 7 in Detroit. |
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James Harden James Harden commits eight turnovers in Game 6
Fri, May 15, 2026, 3:49 PM
Keerthika Uthayakumar
James Harden accounted for 23 points (6-of-13 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and three three-pointers in Friday's Game 6 loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: While he did lead the Cavaliers in scoring, Game 6 was a rough one for Harden. His four assists were countered by eight turnovers, the fifth time this postseason that the point guard has finished a game with more turnovers than field goals made. Harden's plus-minus of minus-5 wasn't terrible, but it is a reminder of why it's a fool's errand to cite that category without context. It's known that he's going to have high-turnover nights, but Harden has to keep the miscues in check in Sunday's Game 7. |
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Larry Nance Larry Nance (illness) downgraded to out for Game 6
Fri, May 15, 2026, 1:09 PM
Danny Cunningham
Larry Nance Jr. (illness) is out for Friday's Game 6 against the Pistons.
Analysis: A late addition to the Cavaliers' injury report, Nance is now officially out. His absence does not affect the Cavaliers' rotation, as he has not been a part of it during the postseason. |
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Larry Nance Larry Nance Jr. (illness) questionable for Game 6
Fri, May 15, 2026, 12:50 PM
NBA Injury Report
Larry Nance Jr. (illness) is questionable for Friday's Game 6 against the Pistons.
Analysis: Nance is a late addition to the injury report, which is usually not a good sign for a player's availability. The veteran forward/center has not been part of the Cavaliers' rotation this postseason, so his absence would not have an in-game impact. |
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James Harden Harden has 30/8/6 line as Cavs take series lead
Wed, May 13, 2026, 5:11 PM
James Harden had 30 points (8-of-21 FGs, 11-of-14 FTs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, three blocks and three three-pointers in the Cavaliers' 117-113 victory over the Pistons in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Analysis: Harden had six turnovers, but was otherwise excellent in leading the Cavaliers to a 3-2 series lead over the Pistons. The 36-year-old point guard had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Harden was +11 in 43 minutes. The win has put the Cavaliers on the brink of reaching the Eastern Conference finals. They'll have their first chance to close out the Pistons in Game 6 on Friday. |
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Evan Mobley Evan Mobley logs 17/8/5/3/5 line in Game 4 win
Mon, May 11, 2026, 5:22 PM
Evan Mobley amassed 17 points (6-of-11 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, five blocks and one three-pointer in Monday's win over the Pistons.
Analysis: Mobley had a monster performance on Monday to help the Cavaliers record a second straight victory. He mixed things up on offense by showcasing his skill to score the ball both inside and outside the arc, and also finished as one of Cleveland's top passers. But arguably his biggest impact came on defense. Mobley totaled eight stocks in his 39 minutes, completely controlling the interior on the defensive end of the floor. He was sensational in Game 4 and will have a chance to put together back-to-back strong performances in Game 5. |
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James Harden James Harden notches 24 points, 11 assists in win
Mon, May 11, 2026, 5:15 PM
James Harden tallied 24 points (5-of-14 FGs, 9-of-9 FTs), 11 assists, three steals, one block and five three-pointers.
Analysis: All five of Harden's field goals came from beyond the arc on Monday, with nearly double-digit free throws filling the remainder of his scoring total. He also contributed double-digit assists for only the second time this postseason, while tying a playoff-low in assists in the process. The former league MVP is still struggling with his shot, but if he can put in more performances like Monday's, Cleveland could find itself in great spots the rest of the way. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell explodes for 43 points in Game 4
Mon, May 11, 2026, 5:07 PM
ESPN Insights
Donovan Mitchell added 43 points (13-of-26 FGs, 13-of-15 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and four three-pointers in the win over the Pistons on Monday.
Analysis: The veteran shooting guard put on a show in Monday's victory, doing nearly all of his damage after halftime to help even the series at two games apiece. Mitchell had logged just four points on 1-of-8 shooting in the first half, which factored into Cleveland's four-point deficit at that time. But he got going in the second half and followed a 21-point third period with 18 more in the final frame to bring the Cavaliers the victory. Mitchell now ranks second in Cavaliers history for most 40-point playoff games, with his four total trailing just LeBron James's 24. |
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Thomas Bryant Thomas Bryant (back) available Monday vs. Detroit
Mon, May 11, 2026, 1:23 PM
NBA Injury Report
Thomas Bryant (back) is available to play on Monday against the Pistons.
Analysis: Bryant's availability adds more frontcourt depth for the Cavaliers ahead of Game 4. The veteran center has only logged 35 total minutes this postseason across four games, totaling seven points and three rebounds. Cleveland will try to even the series up before heading to Detroit for Game 5. |
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Thomas Bryant Thomas Bryant (back) questionable Monday vs. DET
Mon, May 11, 2026, 8:55 AM
NBA Injury Report
Thomas Bryant (back) is questionable for Monday's Game 4 against the Pistons.
Analysis: Bryant is dealing with low back spasms that may keep him out of Monday's home game against Detroit. The backup big man has logged only 25 total minutes this postseason, so his availability won't have much of an impact on Cleveland's rotation. |
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Evan Mobley Mobley corrals eight rebounds in Game 3 victory
Sat, May 9, 2026, 12:03 PM
Evan Mobley accounted for 13 points (4-of-6 FGs, 5-of-10 FTs), eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks in Saturday's Game 3 win over the Pistons.
Analysis: James Harden wasn't the only Cavaliers star heavily criticized for his play in the first two games of this series. After a decent showing in Game 1, the Cavaliers forward/center grabbed just one rebound in Game 2. While Mobley didn't have the best afternoon scoring-wise, he was far more active defensively and on the boards. Jarrett Allen supplied the offense, tallying 18 points along with four rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocked shots. Cleveland will look to even the series at two games apiece with a win in Game 4 on Monday. |
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James Harden Harden gets going late in Game 3 victory
Sat, May 9, 2026, 12:03 PM
James Harden tallied 19 points (8-of-14 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), two rebounds, seven assists, one steal and three three-pointers in Saturday's Game 3 win over the Pistons.
Analysis: Much-maligned for his play in the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Harden stepped up when the Cavaliers needed him most in Game 3. The Beard scored seven of his 19 points in the final 1:29 of Saturday's victory, cutting the Pistons' series lead in half. However, even with Harden's late-game heroics, the Cavaliers need a more consistent version of him if they're to win the series. Game 4 is on Monday night in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers are 5-0 this postseason. |
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Donovan Mitchell Mitchell drops game-high 35 points in Game 3 win
Sat, May 9, 2026, 12:02 PM
Donovan Mitchell finished Saturday's Game 3 win over the Pistons with 35 points (13-of-24 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), 10 rebounds, four assists and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Entering Saturday's game in a 0-2 hole, the Cavaliers needed a win, and Mitchell led the way. After scoring 31 points in Game 2, Spida dropped an efficient 35 in Game 3 while recording his first points/rebounds postseason double-double since April 21, 2018. Mitchell's production in this series has been consistent, one of the few Cavaliers who can make that claim. Despite others' struggles, Mitchell and the Cavaliers can pull even in Game 4 on Monday night. Cleveland is now 5-0 at home in these playoffs. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill (hamstring) available for Game 3
Sat, May 9, 2026, 8:21 AM
Sam Merrill (hamstring) is available for Saturday's Game 3 against the Pistons.
Analysis: Merrill missed Game 2 with a hamstring injury, but is available for Game 3 on Saturday. The 29-year-old shooting guard was held scoreless in seven minutes off the bench in Game 1. Max Strus will remain the Cavaliers' preferred wing option off the bench. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill (hamstring) questionable for Game 3
Fri, May 8, 2026, 11:08 AM
NBA Injury Report
Sam Merrill (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Pistons.
Analysis: Merrill did not play in Thursday's Game 2 defeat after logging seven minutes in the series opener. As a result, the Cavaliers essentially went with an eight-man rotation, with Keon Ellis logging six minutes as the ninth man. Regardless of Merrill's status, Max Strus should log the majority of the bench minutes on the wing. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen logs 22-point performance in Game 2
Thu, May 7, 2026, 4:30 PM
Jarrett Allen added 22 points (7-of-9 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in Thursday's loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: Allen bounced back from an underwhelming two-point performance in Game 1 to tie his high for points in a game this postseason. Per usual, the veteran center did all of his work inside the arc, but also utilized the charity stripe to tally his points. He finished as Cleveland's second leading scorer on the evening while finishing as the team's best rebounder in his 31 minutes. The Cavaliers will hope Allen can provide similar individual production in Game 3. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores 31 points in loss to DET
Thu, May 7, 2026, 4:23 PM
Donovan Mitchell amassed 31 points (11-of-24 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two three-pointers in the loss to the Pistons on Thursday.
Analysis: Mitchell was one of the very few Cavaliers to have success on the offensive end in Game 2. He accounted for nearly one-third of the team's made field goals and, even with inefficient three-point shooting, found other ways to somewhat efficiently hit the 30-point mark. A repeat performance from Mitchell in Game would be great for Cleveland ??" they'll just need multiple others to find their way offensively. He's scored at least 20 points in each of the last four games. |
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James Harden James Harden held to 10 points in Game 2 loss
Thu, May 7, 2026, 4:16 PM
James Harden totaled 10 points (3-of-13 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, three assists and one steal in the loss to the Pistons on Thursday.
Analysis: Harden struggled to find his flow on offense in Game 2. For the second time this postseason, he was held to only three made field goals, but failed to make a three-pointer for the first time. As he narrowly snuck into double figures as a scorer, the former league MVP also didn't make much of an impact as a passer; his three assists tied his low for this postseason. He will almost certainly need to bounce back with a much greater performance in Game 3 for the Cavs to avoid falling behind by three games. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill (hamstring) ruled out for Game 2
Thu, May 7, 2026, 12:23 PM
NBA Injury Report
Sam Merrill (hamstring) will not play in Thursday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Merrill logged just seven minutes in the Game 1 loss and didn't register a single point. Still, the Cavaliers' depth takes a bit of a hit in regard to three-point shooting and overall scoring. In his absence, Max Strus, Dennis Schroder, and Jaylon Tyson should see more minutes. |
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