The Cavaliers secured their first road win in the 2026 NBA playoffs, leading the series against the Pistons 3-2. They aim to close out the series in Game 6 on May 15 at Rocket Arena.
Key points
Cavaliers lead the series 3-2 against the Pistons
Cavs won their first road game in the playoffs
Game 6 is on May 15 at Rocket Arena
Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell are key players
Winning Game 6 advances Cavs to Eastern Conference Finals
CavaliersPistonsKnicksNBA playoffs 2026
Cavs score, injury report, lineups vs Detroit Pistons in Game 6
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers took control of the Eastern Conference semifinals with their first road win of the 2026 NBA playoffs in Game 5, offering them an opportunity to close out the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 on Friday, May 15, at Rocket Arena.
After falling behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven second-round series, the Cavs battled back to win three consecutive games (two in Cleveland and one in Detroit), putting themselves on the doorstep of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the New York Knicks await.
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammates prior to Game Five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hugs James Harden #1 prior to Game Five against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A shirt rests on a seat before game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammates prior to Game Five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons high fives teammates prior to Game Five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hugs James Harden #1 prior to Game Five against the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons, Game 5 photos
May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A shirt rests on a seat before game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Below is some pregame information.
Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 6. Cavs playoffs TV channel and streaming info
Game 6 between the Cavs and Pistons will be televised nationally by Prime Video.
Cavs radio station info
The local radio broadcast of Game 6 can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM). Game 6 will also be broadcast nationally by ESPN Radio.
The Pistons listed the following players as questionable for Game 6: starting guard Duncan Robinson (low back soreness), backup guard Caris LeVert (right heel contusion) and backup wing Kevin Huerter (left adductor strain).
Game 6: Pistons at Cavs, 7 p.m. Friday, May 15, Prime Video
Game 7: Cavs at Pistons, time TBD Sunday, May 17, TBD network, if necessary
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Here are the second-round matchups:
No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers; Cavs lead series 3-2
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers; Knicks won series 4-0
Here are the first-round results:
No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic; Pistons won series 4-3
No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers; 76ers won series 4-3
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks; Knicks won series 4-2
No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 seed Toronto Raptors; Cavs won series 4-3
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff history during their Donovan Mitchell era
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances, all of which have occurred since the Cavs traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in 2022:
2024-25: Lost 4-1 in second round to Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami Heat 4-0 in first round
2023-24: Lost 4-1 in second round to Boston Celtics after beating Orlando Magic 4-3 in first round
2022-23: Lost 4-1 in first round to New York Knicks
Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal sports department can be reached at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
