By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a sluggish start to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, defeating the Toronto Raptors 114–102 in a decisive Game 7 at Rocket Arena on Sunday. Despite the visitors peaking at a ten-point lead during the first half, the Cavs stormed back after the break to build a comfortable margin and secure the series victory. Homecourt advantage proved absolute in this matchup, as the home team won every single game of the best-of-seven series.
The rotation saw limited contributions from their European contingent. German reserve Dennis Schroder provided two points, an assist, and a rebound in 14 minutes of play. Meanwhile, Dutch forward Tristan Enaruna and French center Olivier Sarr remained inactive.
For the team coached by Serbian Darko Rajakovic, the first permanent European head coach to record a playoff win, Austrian starter Jakob Poeltl scored eight of his nine points in the fourth quarter, adding seven rebounds and two steals over 22 minutes. Georgian reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili concluded his 2025-26 journey with a six-point effort in nine minutes. The lone Canadian NBA franchise was severely shorthanded, missing both Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram.
Earlier, the Detroit Pistons authored a historic comeback by dismantling the Orlando Magic 116–94 at Little Caesars Arena. With this Game 7 victory, they became only the 15th team in league history to win a series after trailing 3–1. Moving on, they will host the Cavaliers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals this Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.
The Magic were hampered by the continued absence of German star Franz Wagner, who missed his third straight game with a right calf strain. Moritz Wagner, the brother of Franz, tallied five points and two rebounds in ten minutes, with fellow German Tristan da Silva logging eight fruitless minutes. France’s Noah Penda and Georgia’s Goga Bitadze remained on the bench.
Following elimination, speculation intensified regarding the future of head coach Jamahl Mosley, who is widely expected to bear the brunt of the responsibility for Orlando’s first-round collapse.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers
6. New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers
6. San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions