2026 NBA Playoffs Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, Eastern Conference Semifinals | Cavaliers, Pistons chase crucial Game 5 win
Enjoy highlights and observations from Cavaliers-Pistons Game 5 with the NBA.com live blog.
Ben Lambert, for NBA.com | Updated on May 14, 2026 1:20 AM
Jarrett Allen and the Cleveland Cavaliers are facing the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on ESPN. Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Wednesday’s action.
Last night’s live blog: Wemby leads Spurs to pivotal Game 5 win
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What we know about Wednesday’s game: The team that wins when an NBA Playoff series is tied 2-2 has gone on to take the series 81.7% of the time.
MAY 13, 2026 / 9:17 ET — Pistons take a 60-52 lead into the half
Cade Cunningham (20 pts on 7-of-14 shooting) kept up his scoring pace from the first quarter, while Detroit juiced up their advantage to 20-2 in points off turnovers. James Harden (13 pts, 5 ast) and Max Strus (12 pts, 4 3PM in 15:32) have been the top scorers for the Cavaliers. We’ve seen six lead changes and five ties in the game so far. Both teams are shooting over 50% from the field and 6-of-14 (42.9%) from 3-point range. But the Cavs have turned the ball over 10 times to five for the Pistons, making the difference so far. Harden has three turnovers, while Donovan Mitchell (8 pts, 3 reb) and Dennis Schroeder have two apiece.
MAY 13, 2026 / 9:08 ET — Cavaliers stabilize 49-41
Detroit with 4:00 to go in the second quarter, as the Cavaliers responded to the Pistons’ surge with a 9-6 stretch, which included six points from James Harden (10 pts, 3 ast).
MAY 13, 2026 / 8:53 ET — Detroit on a 12-2 run
The Pistons are 6-for-6 to start the second quarter, led by Tobias Harris (8 pts, 6 in the quarter), taking a 43-32 lead with 8:33 to go in the period.
MAY 13, 2026 / 8:41 ET — Pistons up 29-27 after one
Cade Cunningham (10 pts on 4-of-7 shooting) leads all scorers as the Pistons seek to defend home court. They earned six more shots than the Cavaliers in the first quarter and shot 5-of-9 from 3-point range to seize this early advantage. But the Cavs are sticking around by shooting 52.6% from the field, led by Max Strus (6 pts, 2 3PM).
MAY 13, 2026 / 8:37 ET — Pistons out in transition
Detroit forced six early turnovers by the Cavaliers, leading to an 11-2 advantage in points off giveaways. Ausar Thompson has three steals alone.
MAY 13, 2026 / 8:27 ET — Harris starts slowly
Tobias Harris is 0-of-6 to start tonight’s contest, as the Pistons readjust their scoring with Duncan Robinson out. Daniss Jenkins (7 pts) has led them early — we’ll see who else finds their rhythm.
MAY 13, 2026 / 8:15 ET — Daniss Jenkins starts us off
With Duncan Robinson (low back soreness) out, the Pistons will need the guard out of St. John’s to step up. He’s been a spark off the bench all season, and begins tonight with five straight points.
MAY 13, 2026 / 7:00 ET — Starting Lineup: Cavaliers-Pistons, Game 5
Evan Mobley and Jalen Duren lead the Cavaliers and Pistons into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on ESPN.
Cleveland:
- PG James Harden — The Beard has been here before. His last two Playoff runs, both with the Sixers, led to 2-2 ties in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Both times, his team went on to lose the series.
- SG Donovan Mitchell — Is this the biggest game of Donovan Mitchell’s career? He’s never made it to the Conference Finals. With a win tonight, his Cavaliers would be in the driver’s seat.
- SF Dean Wade — Wade has held Cade Cunningham to 17 pts on 5-of-15 shooting in the series, guarding him on 86.6 partial possessions.
- PF Evan Mobley — Mobley was everywhere defensively in Game 4, accruing five blocks and three steals, as well as a series-high 17 points.
- C Jarrett Allen — Allen was held to nine points in Game 4, but added two blocks, patrolling the paint with Mobley. Watch to see if Jalen Duren can attack him in the paint.
Detroit:
- PG Cade Cunningham — Cunningham is shooting just 39.5% from the field in this series, although he’s putting up 23.9 ppg.
- SG Duncan Robinson — Watch Robinson tonight — he’s grown increasingly comfortable as this series has gone on. A big shooting night from him can swing any game.
- SF Ausar Thompson — Can Thompson stay on the floor to guard Donovan Mitchell? He was limited to just 19 minutes in Game 4.
- PF Tobias Harris — Harris finally had a down game in Game 4. He’s been clutch for Detroit, but needs to be able to get to his comfortable spots on the floor.
- C Jalen Duren — The Pistons need more from their All-Star center. His lack of individual creation and shooting ability has been exposed some in the Playoffs, although he’s tried breaking out a midrange game at times.
MAY 13, 2026 / 6:30 ET — Wednesday’s injury report
Kevin Huerter, Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson are questionable for Detroit.
Related:
- Big men could determine Pistons-Cavs Game 5 — Evan Mobley, Jalen Duren and potential X-factors are among the storylines to watch in Wednesday's game in Detroit.
- The Athletic: Story behind 'Pistons Won Again' song — "I'll never take it for granted," said Gerald Allen, better known as Gmac Cash. "It's a blessing, man."
- The Athletic: Donovan Mitchell seeks postseason glory — The Cavs have been chasing James’ ghost since he left Cleveland. This is the closest they've come to the East finals without him since 1992.
- Recap: Wemby leads Spurs to Game 5 win — Tap in to the best highlights and observations from Game 5 of the Timberwolves-Spurs series with the NBA.com live blog.