Cleveland advances to Eastern Conference Finals in NBA playoffs

May 18, 2026 / 2:18 PM

Sharjah 24: The Cleveland Cavaliers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2018, with a dominant 125-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7.

First time since 2018

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their place in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018 with a resounding 125-94 win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of their second-round NBA playoff series.

The Cavaliers, who won the title in 2016 led by current Lakers star LeBron James, will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, hoping to repeat their 2018 run when they reached the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive season (they faced the Warriors in all four appearances, winning once in 2016).

Led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 26 points, the Cavaliers became the last team to secure a spot in the final four, joining the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, who will face off in the Western Conference Finals.