Cade Cunningham had his worst playoff game precisely in Game 7 against the Cavs. Once again, the superstar lacks support. The Pistons must urgently address their biggest problem this summer and could embark on a major pursuit.
While the Cavaliers overcome numerous missed shots from James Harden and, thanks to Donovan Mitchell and their depth, reach their first Conference Finals since the LeBron James era, Cunningham and the Pistons deliver an unworthy conclusion to an otherwise strong season. The mistakes are clear, and their consequences should be too.
Insights into Game 7 between Detroit and Cleveland.
Detroit Pistons: Cunningham’s Co-Star Can’t Be Duren Next Year
Before Game 7, there were indeed arguments that Cunningham was the best player in this year’s playoffs. The point guard played strong defense and managed to be the most successful scorer of the postseason despite a lack of spacing and constant, double-team defense. Until he ran out of steam in Game 7.
He only put up 13 points on the scoreboard. 16 less than his average. Cunningham made only five of his 16 shots, and none of his seven three-pointers went in. «The game was really bad,» he admitted afterwards, likely referring to his own performance. Nevertheless, in a season where he was even voted first on MVP ballots by two media representatives, he has likely played his way into the superstar circle. The playoffs underscored this status.
The big question now, however, must be who his co-star should be. In the playoffs, this was primarily a 33-year-old Tobias Harris. However, the veteran faltered during the Cavs series, scoring only 13, 6, and 5 points in the last three games. In Game 7, he missed all six of his field goal attempts.
The role was ultimately too big for him. However, it wasn’t intended for him in the first place. Jalen Duren was among the three finalists for the MIP award and earned his first All-Star nomination. What was completely justified sounds like a bad joke in light of the playoffs. In the regular season, the center still impressed with 19.5 points per game, but in the postseason, it was 10.1 PPG.
Since Elgin Baylor in 1969 (from 24.8 to 15.4), no All-Star has seen such a scoring drop at the start of the playoffs. In the long history of the NBA, only Wilt Chamberlain in 1962 (from 50.4 to 35.0) had a steeper decline. Duren appeared overwhelmed and hesitant. The easy baskets were gone, and self-creation was non-existent. He was also barely a factor on the defensive end. He stumbled from one low point to another, and glimmers of hope like in Game 6 were nothing more than a brief flash in the pan. He finished Game 7 with 7 points (3/7 FG). In the playoffs, his scoring was more often in single digits (7 out of 14 games) than in the entire regular season (6 out of 70 games).
The 22-year-old will be a Restricted Free Agent in the summer. «Before the playoffs, it was assumed in the league that Duren would receive a contract of around $200 million due to his All-NBA worthy season,» reported NBA insider Brett Siegel (Clutch Points) recently. «He has likely already lost over $50 million in these playoffs alone.»
Duren would like to stay with the Pistons, and the Pistons would like to keep Duren. This is absolutely understandable after his leap in performance during the regular season. However, after the subsequent decline in performance, it should only be at a justifiable price. The role of co-star in the ‘Motor City’ needs to be re-evaluated, not just financially.
Detroit Pistons: (Not) A Disappointing Season?
Accordingly, an exciting summer awaits Detroit. Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff certainly won’t want to abandon his team’s defensive identity, but offensively, there’s an urgent need for more shooting and scoring.
Harris, Kevin Huerter, and Javonte Green will be Unrestricted Free Agents. The Pistons have a team option for Daniss Jenkins. Detroit also has plenty of draft ammunition in the coming drafts to select new talents or become active in the trade market.
Before the deadline, the Pistons had refrained from major activities. Only Huerter was acquired and played only three minutes in the entire series against the Cavs. They deliberately avoided significant ‘win-now moves.’
While there were wild rumors about Anthony Davis, as well as reports of interest in Michael Porter Jr. (Brooklyn Nets) and Trey Murphy (New Orleans Pelicans), nothing more than discussions about possible deals occurred, according to Trajan Langdon, President of Basketball Operations. Instead, Detroit wanted to «take a different path.»
This path led them to the top seed in the East, but to an early exit in the playoffs. And it could have ended much sooner. Against the Orlando Magic, Detroit was already down 1-3 in the first round until an injury to Franz Wagner and a historic embarrassment by the Magic allowed them to turn the series around at the last minute.
However, the Pistons’ conclusion was consistently positive. Cunningham said that he and his team «weren’t the top seed for nothing.» The point guard further clarified: «We won a lot of games this year. We played great basketball all year and built an identity that we haven’t had in a long time.» Bickerstaff did not disagree: «I don’t think we missed any expectations. The guys improved tremendously and did a great job.»
The head coach also elaborated: «Everyone wants to win the championship every year. But how much have you grown? How much have you improved? Have you sacrificed for the good of your team? Our guys did all of that every day, and we got better. We made sure we were even in this position today. Nothing about this team or this outcome is a disappointment.»
One must disagree with him. Although the fundamental turnaround in recent seasons has been impressive, the East was indeed open this year. Whether it will be open again next year and whether the Pistons will be contenders again is far from certain. A great opportunity was missed. That is disappointing.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell Breaks the Curse
On the other hand, Donovan Mitchell was finally fed up with disappointments. Never before in his career had Mitchell advanced beyond the second round, despite being in the playoffs in each of his previous eight NBA seasons. Before the trade deadline, ‘Spida’ had lobbied for the acquisition of James Harden. He wanted to do everything to finally reach the Conference Finals.
Harden experienced ups and downs in the postseason. Mitchell did too. Before Game 7 against the Pistons, immense pressure weighed on both of them. Mitchell withstood it and took matters into his own hands from the start.
On the first possession, he found Evan Mobley for an alley-oop dunk. Shortly thereafter, he perfectly set up Jarrett Allen, and another Cavs big man got an uncontested dunk. The next lob to Allen followed before three minutes had even been played. By halftime, the game was nearly decided, and the Cavs had more assists (18) than in the entire Game 6 (15). ‘Spida’ already had 6 assists at halftime – a season high in his playoff year. He repeatedly drove to the basket, was unstoppable, and as a playmaker, he facilitated easy baskets.
In the third quarter, he took over the scoring. He poured in 15 points (6/8 FG) against the Pistons in just eight and a half minutes. Advancing was clear early on, and Mitchell finished the workday with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Afterward, he delivered a leader’s statement, not yet seeing himself at his destination: «We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief now, but that’s only for twelve hours, then it’s back to work.»
Cleveland Cavaliers: Harden Nears Long-Term Reward Despite Modest Numbers
Mitchell’s desired backcourt partner, however, shone a little less. At least at first glance. Harden ended up with just 9 points. His shooting percentages were certainly improvable (2/10 FG, 0/6 3FG). Decisive games are, as is well known, rarely ‘The Beard’s’ greatest strength.
Nevertheless, even before the game, news was circulating that the 36-year-old could be preparing for a longer stay in Ohio. Brian Windhorst (ESPN) explained: «Regardless of how this playoff run continues, Harden, who has shown inconsistent performances again in the postseason, will likely sign a long-term deal in Cleveland this summer.»
Due to his age, there are certainly some question marks surrounding this potential decision. However, the truth is also that without Harden, the Cavs would not be in the Conference Finals now. In Game 5, he was his team’s best scorer with 30 points, and in Game 3, he secured the win with a crucial three-pointer in crunchtime.
Even in the decisive Game 7, he was significantly better than it initially appeared. Of course, his shot wasn’t falling at all, but Harden also recognized this and didn’t force unnecessary shots just to inflate his point total. He moved the ball and gradually accumulated his 6 assists. After struggling with unnecessary turnovers throughout the postseason, he finished Game 7 with only a single turnover.
And he defended strongly. Discipline and effort were also there. It’s not a coincidence that he ended up with the best plus-minus rating on the Cavs (+31, tied with Mobley). Throughout the entire series, the Cavs were +32 in his minutes. Without the bearded one, they were -19.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Depth Pays Off
The scoring was then handled by the other guys in Game 7. Not only did Mitchell surpass the 20-point mark, but so did the big men Allen (23) and Mobley (21). And Sam Merrill (23). Merrill once again came off the bench and did what he’s supposed to do: take threes, make threes. In the end, he sank five of his eight attempts from downtown. In the entire first six games of the series, he had only scored 29 points. But in the most important moment, he was there and hit four from deep before halftime.
«That’s how it goes in the playoffs,» Head Coach Kenny Atkinson gladly explained afterwards. «You need a Sam Merrill game, you need a Dennis Schröder game. Max Strus also had a great game.»
While the Pistons were unsuccessful in their search for a co-star, the Cavs found several other options alongside Mitchell. Even if, in Merrill’s case, it was likely just for one night.
Allen, on the other hand, is already working hard for a reputation as a clutch performer for the second time. He showed his best performance in the decisive Game 7 of the first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
«If Jarrett Allen plays well, we usually win,» Atkinson analyzed before the game. The game plan for the series against the New York Knicks should therefore be set after this repeated proof of his thesis. The Eastern Conference Finals begin on Tuesday night.
NBA Playoffs 2026: Second Round Results
| Conference | Matchup | Series Score |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Thunder (1) — Lakers (4) | 4-0 |
| Western | Spurs (2) — Timberwolves (6) | 4-2 |
| Eastern | Pistons (1) — Cavaliers (4) | 3-4 |
| Eastern | Knicks (3) — Sixers (7) | 4-0 |