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Evan Mobley Evan Mobley records 21/12/6/2/2 line in Game 7
Sun, May 17, 2026, 4:52 PM
Evan Mobley accounted for 21 points (7-of-10 FGs, 6-of-11 FTs), 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals, two blocks and one three-pointer in Sunday's Game 7 win over the Pistons.
Analysis: Cleveland's starting bigs were dominant in Game 7. Mobley recorded a double-double as part of a complete stat line, with Jarrett Allen going for 23 points and seven rebounds. Mobley scored at least 17 points in each of the final four games of the series, with Cleveland winning three. The Cavaliers will look to him for similar production against the Knicks in the conference finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell scores game-high 26 points
Sun, May 17, 2026, 4:51 PM
Donovan Mitchell finished Sunday's Game 7 win over the Pistons with 26 points (10-of-22 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Mitchell and the Cavaliers are headed to the conference finals for the first time since 2018 after a dominant showing in Game 7. He rebounded from a poor Game 6, not only as a scorer but as a playmaker. After recording three assists on Friday, Mitchell was responsible for eight in Game 7 while committing three turnovers. He and the other Cavaliers were able to get into the paint early and often, which opened up everything offensively for them. Game 1 of the conference finals is on Tuesday in New York. |
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Sam Merrill Sam Merrill sinks five triples, scores 23 points
Sun, May 17, 2026, 4:51 PM
Sam Merrill recorded 23 points (7-of-10 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), one rebound, two assists, one steal and five three-pointers in Sunday's Game 7 win over the Pistons.
Analysis: Usually, James Harden (nine points, five rebounds and six assists) shooting 2-of-10 from the field would spell doom for his team. That wasn't the case on Sunday, with Merrill's performance among the reasons why. Shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, Merrill was one of four Cavaliers to finish the 125-94 rout with at least 20 points. Max Strus (9/3/2/3 with one three-pointer) was the fifth starter on Sunday, replacing Dean Wade, but there's room for Merrill to step up as well. Cleveland visits New York on Tuesday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. |
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Jarrett Allen âGame 7 Jarrett Allen' shines in blowout victory
Sun, May 17, 2026, 4:50 PM
Jarrett Allen tallied 23 points (8-of-14 FGs, 7-of-13 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot in Sunday's Game 7 win over the Pistons.
Analysis: As he did in Cleveland's first-round series against Toronto, Allen saved his best for last as the Cavs earned their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2018. The Cavaliers' starting center thoroughly outplayed Jalen Duren, and his stat line lacked only a three-pointer. In the Game 7 win over Toronto in the first round, Allen put up 22 points, 19 rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Things won't get easier for Allen and the Cavaliers, as they visit the Knicks in Game 1 of the conference finals on Tuesday. |
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Max Strus CLE starts Harden, Mitchell, Strus, Mobley, Allen
Sun, May 17, 2026, 1:58 PM
NBA Lineups
James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will start Sunday's Game 7 against the Pistons.
Analysis: The Cavaliers have changed their starting lineup for Game 7, with Strus replacing Dean Wade. Strus offers a higher offensive ceiling, and he can also take on the task of defending Cade Cunningham. The other four starters are unchanged. |
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Larry Nance Larry Nance Jr. (illness) downgraded to out Sunday
Sun, May 17, 2026, 10:42 AM
NBA Injury Report
Larry Nance Jr. (illness) is out for Sunday's Game 7 against the Pistons.
Analysis: Nance is inactive for a second consecutive game due to an illness. He has not been a consistent member of the Cavaliers' rotation, and that was unlikely to change for Sunday's series decider. |
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Larry Nance Larry Nance (illness) doubtful for Game 7 Sunday
Sat, May 16, 2026, 11:26 AM
NBA Injury Report
Larry Nance (illness) is doubtful for Sunday's Game 7 against the Pistons.
Analysis: A late scratch for Friday's Game 6 defeat, Nance is on track to miss Game 7 as well. The veteran forward/center has not been in the Cavaliers' rotation, and that's unlikely to change on Sunday. |
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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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