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Wagner sits with Pistons staving off elimination, but Schroder sparks Cavaliers

Wagner sits with Pistons staving off elimination, but Schroder sparks Cavaliers

30/Apr/26 04:49

dennis-schroder-cleveland-cavaliers — Jeff Haynes/NBAE / Getty Images / Ideal Image

While Franz Wagner misses Orlando Magic’s loss with a calf injury, Dennis Schroder’s 19-point bench performance powers the Cleveland Cavaliers

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

The 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, delivered close games on Wednesday as two pivotal Eastern Conference best-of-seven matchups shifted the momentum of their respective series. In Little Caesars Arena, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons staved off elimination by defeating the Orlando Magic 116–109, narrowing Orlando’s series lead to 3-2. The contest evolved into a historic scoring duel between Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, both of whom finished with 45 points to set respective franchise and career postseason highs. The Pistons leader’s performance was punctuated by a decisive step-back jumper.

The Magic were forced to navigate the loss of German starter Franz Wagner, who was sidelined with a right calf strain. The 24-year-old forward, seen in a walking boot, emphasized the need for caution regarding the injury, and coach Jamahl Mosley remains uncertain of a timeline for his return. In his absence, Jamal Cain moved into the starting lineup as his side utilized a lean eight-man rotation.

German reserve Tristan da Silva contributed three points and three rebounds in 16 minutes, while Georgian center Goga Bitadze provided defensive utility with two blocks and a rebound in 14 minutes. However, German veteran Moritz Wagner and France’s Noah Penda did not see floor time in the defeat. The series now moves back to Orlando for Game 6 on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 3-2 series lead over the Toronto Raptors with a narrow 125–120 victory at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. German guard Dennis Schroder was the catalyst off the bench, providing a vital 19 points and two assists in just 21 minutes of action. France’s Olivier Sarr and the Netherlands’ Tristan Enaruna were left out of the lineup.

“When we were talking about trading for him, that was one of the things that came up, that this guy has played in huge games in the NBA and on the international scene, so this type of game fits him,” said head coach Kenny Atkinson on 32-year-old Schroder during his postgame press conference. “I think it started with him getting to the rim. That loosened up the jumper for him. And then I thought his defense on Barrett, he really got under him, harassed him. He was Dennis the Menace tonight.”

For the Raptors, the loss was compounded by an injury to Brandon Ingram, who was ruled out during the second quarter due to right heel inflammation. “He’s been dealing with his heel. He reaggravated his heel on one play. We tried to retape him. At halftime, he tried to activate to see if he could be ready for the second half, but he was not ready to play in the second half,” noted Serbian head coach Darko Rajakovic. “Tomorrow we will know more when we do more evaluation.”

The Canadian franchise held 11-point leads in both the first and third quarters but ultimately could not withstand a fourth-quarter surge. Austrian starting center Jakob Poeltl nearly posted a double-double with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and nine rebounds, while Georgian reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili added 10 points and a block in 15 minutes. The series returns to Toronto on Friday.