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Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Orlando Magic during game one of the first round of the eastern conference playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 19, 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)
The Detroit Pistons competed their comeback against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday. The Pistons overcame a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Magic and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Cade Cunningham led the way for Detroit, finishing with 32 points, 12 assists and two blocks. Tobias Harris was phenomenal with 30 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while Jalen Duren had his best game of the series with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Paolo Banchero had a game-high 38 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the 116-94. The Magic now heads to the offseason full of interesting questions, especially about coach Jamahl Mosley’s future and their links to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
GettyCade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons talks with his teammates in a huddle prior to Game Seven against the Orlando Magic in the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 03, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Cade Cunningham tipped his hat to the Magic for pushing them to their limits. Cunningham reflected on how this series helped them become a better team, and the Pistons are looking forward to the next round.
“Playoff basketball is a lot of fun in itself,” Cunningham said. “It’s so intense. There’s so much on the line. But the Magic, credit to them, they pushed us. They really made us take a look in the mirror. I think we got a lot better from this series. I got a lot better. I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about the team, so I think this series really is going to set us up for our next series. I think we’ll be a lot better for it.”
Cunningham has had his struggles in the series, especially in the first four games. He bounced back by averaging 36.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks. He shot 51.6% from the field, 61.1% from 3-point range and 88.9% from the free-throw line.
However, Cunningham will still need to limit his turnovers. He had a total of 37 turnovers in the entire series, which is among the highest in one series in NBA playoff history.
GettyDonovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Cade Cunningham #2 and Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Rocket Arena on January 04, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
After the Pistons beat the Magic on Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers booked their ticket to the next round after defeating the Toronto Raptors in Game 7.
Here’s the full schedule of their Eastern Conference semifinals series.
The two teams split their regular-season series 2-2, with one win each at home and on the road.
It will also be their fifth playoff matchup against each other, and their first since the 2016 NBA playoffs. The Pistons have not won a postseason game against the Cavaliers since Game 2 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He's currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
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