Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell reaches conference finals, matches Kobe

Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell reached the conference finals for the first time, matching Kobe Bryant with a notable Game 7 performance. On May 18, 2026, he led the Cavaliers to a commanding victory over the Detroit Pistons in one of the biggest Game 7 wins in NBA history, with a score of 125-94.

During the game, late in the first quarter, Pistons guard Marcus Sasser hit a 3-pointer that cut Cleveland's lead to six. However, Donovan Mitchell swiftly responded by receiving an inbounds pass from Evan Mobley, pushing the ball up the court, and making a remarkable shot from just inside mid-court, restoring the Cavaliers' lead to nine points. The Pistons would only get close briefly in the second quarter.

With Mitchell scoring 26 points, along with six rebounds and eight assists, he also achieved zero turnovers in this decisive match. "A breath of fresh air," Mitchell described reaching the conference finals, adding that the team had aimed high since the start of the season. He expressed relief at moving past an earlier playoff disappointment against Indiana, but acknowledged the journey was still ongoing.

The Cavaliers' victory marked their return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. They will face the New York Knicks and make their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance without LeBron James since 1992, with the Cleveland franchise having never reached the NBA Finals without him.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson praised Mitchell, noting his complete control of the game through his defense and play-making skills, especially in assisting his teammates. "It started with him. His defense, rebounding and when he gets in the paint and starts making other people better -- that was the key, I felt, to the game," Atkinson said.

Despite some inconsistencies in his performance during the series, Mitchell's leadership proved crucial in Game 7. His eight assists marked his highest in the postseason, making him the first guard since Kobe Bryant in 2002 to achieve at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists without turnovers in a Game 7. With this level of play, the Cavaliers look to continue their success in the upcoming series.