The Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1, led by Jalen Duren. Jarrett Allen struggled with foul trouble, impacting the Cavs' performance significantly.
Key points
Pistons won Game 1 against Cavaliers 111-101
Jalen Duren was a standout player for the Pistons
Jarrett Allen faced significant foul trouble
Allen's fouls limited his playing time and impact
Cavs struggled without Allen's contributions
Detroit PistonsCleveland CavaliersJalen DurenJarrett Allen
DETROIT — The hero who sent the Cavaliers to the second round never answered the bat signal in Game 1.
Instead of a sequel performance, the Cavs virtually received a no-show in Detroit's 111-101 win.
Allen committed three fouls in the first quarter, forcing his early exit from the game. After returning, he then was called for his fourth personal foul in the third quarter, again resulting in Allen having to walk to the bench yet again.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after warm up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Q&A
What was the final score of Game 1 between the Pistons and Cavaliers?
The final score was 111-101 in favor of the Detroit Pistons.
How did Jarrett Allen's fouls affect the Cavaliers in Game 1?
Jarrett Allen committed three fouls in the first quarter and a fourth in the third, limiting his impact on the game.
Who led the Pistons to victory in Game 1 against the Cavaliers?
Jalen Duren led the Pistons to victory in Game 1.
What were the key moments that contributed to the Pistons' win over the Cavaliers?
Key moments included Jarrett Allen's foul trouble and the Pistons' strong overall performance.
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Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons hosts Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after warm up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) walks off the court after warm up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons hosts Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 1 photos
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff speaks at a press conference before Game 1 of second round of NBA playoffs between Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
He finished with only 18 minutes on the floor, two points on 1-for-4 shooting, three rebounds and four personal fouls. Allen essentially won the Cavs Game 7 against the Raptors with one of the best quarters in recent NBA playoff history. Two days later, he almost wasn't noticed in Game 1 against the Pistons.
"Yeah, it messes your rhythm up, messes rotations up," said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. "Some of those, they weren't his fouls. We got a breakdown, they had a back-door, I mean, he's there trying to clean up. Usually it's not because of him being in a bad position. It's more of a breakdown from another person and he's got to come over and help.
"Just sputtered us a little, got us off rhythm, I thought."
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Cavs lose to Pistons in Game 1 of NBA playoffs
Regardless of who was on the floor, the Pistons' big men controlled the paint in the fourth quarter. Once the Cavs clawed back to tie it 93-93, essentially making it a new game with 5:28 left, Pistons center Jalen Duren dominated near the rim.
In a 67-second span, Duren had back-to-back-to-back dunks, along with a key block and two crucial defensive rebounds. While the Cavs spent nearly the entire night crawling out of a hole, Duren just about slapped them back down himself.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dunks in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dunks in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Pistons' size was known to be a key factor before Game 1 ever began, given not only Duren's size inside but Cade Cunningham's athleticism on the outside. It'll be a major test for the Cavs defense, and how they rotate players in and out of the lineup.
With Allen unavailable due to foul trouble, also combined to a degree with Sam Merrill missing the second half with a hamstring injury, the Cavs didn't have the answer in the fourth quarter of Game 1.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
"It's tough on him with the rhythm and everything when you don't get to play that long," said Evan Mobley, who instead often played alongside Thomas Bryant in Game 1. "And he's a big asset to our team, so he definitely helps on the boards and defending as well, so it's tough, but things like that happen, and we got to adjust."
It isn't just how the rotations are thrown off their axis. It's also how vital Allen's presence on the defensive end, where he's also effectively the defense's quarterback, calling out plays and coverages and keeping everyone in front of him in line.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) look for the rebound in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) look for the rebound in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
"I mean, when you play a team like this, he's instrumental to what we do defensively, right?" said Donovan Mitchell, who scored 23 points in the loss. "He only payed 18 minutes, and their bigs are tough. The boards, Cade [Cunningham] is getting downhill, [we're] trying to find ways to contest.
"So it's definitely tough to not have him out there on the floor, but even in those situations, maybe it's Ev next game that's in foul trouble, right? We still, as a collective, got to find a way together to get stops, rebound or protect the rim in any way we can."
The Cavs know the Pistons want to go downhill. If they don't have their top rim protectors available, Cleveland might be in danger of watching this series go downhill with them.
