Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs 2nd round series

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May 14, 2026 - 01:02

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Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with guard James Harden (1) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs 2nd round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet on Wednesday night in an important Game 5 matchup. Both teams are tied 2-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with one team on the verge of elimination and the other on the verge of moving on. That's what's at stake in the Motor City.

Donovan Mitchell has led the Cavs by notching 43 points in Game 4. He has been the answer Cleveland has needed down the stretch in this series. Especially when James Harden hasn't played his best. The Cavs haven’t won away from Cleveland in the playoffs and that must stop tonight to advance.

Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff will have to find the right pace in his lineup to keep the Cavs from jumping out to a huge lead. Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris can't do it all and the rest of Detroit's starting five will have to step up.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live scores | Full schedule | Updated bracket

Cavaliers vs. Pistons live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 5

2nd Quarter-10:52: Cade Cunningham makes a 26-foot three-point shot.

2nd Quarter-11:27: Cade Cunningham makes a 10-foot pull up jumper.

2nd Quarter-11:46: Evan Mobley makes a 7-foot shot.

The Detroit Pistons lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 29-27 after the 1st quarter.

1st Quarter-0:16: Donovan Mitchell makes a 5-foot shot.

1st Quarter-1:13: Isaiah Stewart makes a 26-foot three point shot.

1st Quarter-1:38: Isaiah Stewart makes a 26-foot three-point jumper.

1st Quarter-1:53: Max Strus makes a 26-foot three-point shot.

🪣 Strus & Sam: SPLASH. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/3NoClWrh4x— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 14, 2026

1st Quarter-2:55: Dennis Schroder makes a two-point shot.

1st Quarter-3:23: Sam Merrill makes a 24-foot three-point shot.

1st Quarter-4:22: Cade Cunningham makes a 24-foot three-point shot.

1st Quarter-5:23: Max Strus makes a 24-foot three-point shot.

1st Quarter-7:07: Evan Mobley makes a 3-foot running dunk.

75 feet. On the money. @JHarden13 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/TnSvGAq6Vf— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 14, 2026

1st Quarter-7:49: Ausar Thompson makes a 4-foot running dunk.

1st Quarter-8:21: James Harden makes a 6-foot floater.

1st Quarter-9:19: Jarrett Allen makes a 3-foot dunk.

Big ➡️ big. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/s4FQkcYHey— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 14, 2026

1st Quarter-10:43: Daniss Jenkins makes a 20-foot running jumper.

1st Quarter-11:43: Daniss Jenkins makes a 23-foot three-point shot.

WHATUPDOE DANISS pic.twitter.com/yT557YLbkw— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) May 14, 2026

Donovan Mitchell scored 39 of his 43 points in the second half to secure Cleveland’s Game 4 win 🔥

Can he he pull off another stellar performance tonight?

CLE (2-2) DET I Game 5: 8:00 PM ET, ESPN pic.twitter.com/8qFt1lKrQK— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2026

"Pistons will take care of business tonight." 🔥

Lou Williams & Chandler Parsons pick Detroit to win Game 5 🗣️

Michelle Beadle is "sick of being jerked around by the Cavs" 😅@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/zjTBVmglxO— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 13, 2026