Game Center

DET

Pistons

109-116

Final

CLE

Cavaliers

Harden hits clutch shots, Mitchell scores 35 and the Cavaliers beat the Pistons 116-109 in Game 3

By AP•May 9, 2026

Game Recap

Donovan Mitchell uses a Eurostep to get space near the basket and scores for Cleveland.

CLEVELAND -- — After collapsing in the clutch in the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers got timely plays in the final three minutes from James Harden and Max Strus to get back into their series against the Detroit Pistons.

Harden hit three big shots and Strus came up with the steal and go-ahead basket in the Cavaliers' 116-109 victory on Saturday to cut the Pistons' lead to 2-1.

“We know how important it is to get this first win to make it a series. So, really a team win where a lot of guys contributed tonight,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said.

The Cavaliers will look to even the series when they host Game 4 on Monday night.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Harden finished with 19 points and Jarrett Allen scored 18.

There were 11 lead changes, with the final one occurring with 2:28 remaining when Strus jumped to snare Cade Cunningham's inbound pass to Daniss Jenkins near midcourt. Strus then drove past Cunningham and Jenkins to make a layup and give the Cavaliers a 106-104 advantage.

Atkinson called it the winning play of the game.

“That was a game changer right there. It gives us a lead, get a couple stops and a couple buckets and that’s the game,” Harden said.

Strus said it was about 3-4 seconds into the inbound play that he timed his jump and made the play.

“My job is to help win in any form or fashion,” said Strus, who finished with seven points, five rebounds and one steal. “Some nights it’s going to be shooting. Some nights it’s going to be defense. Some nights it’s going to be rebounds. The ball didn’t find me tonight, but I don’t care. As long as our team wins, I just want to make an impact and find a way to win.”

It was also the first of three straight turnovers by Cunningham, who had his second career postseason triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but also committed eight turnovers.

“I don’t want to say they were careless turnovers because I care about it a lot. They were just bad turnovers,” he said.

Harden, who drew plenty of criticism for turnovers in the clutch in the first two games, kept the Cavaliers in front with big shots. The 17-year veteran hit a 16-foot step-back jumper to extend the lead to 108-104. After a driving dunk by Cunningham, Harden made a floating 7-footer to put the lead back up to four.

Cunningham responded with a 3-pointer before Harden provided the decisive blow with 25 seconds remaining on a step-back 3-pointer while being guarded by Harris to make it 113-109.

Mitchell reached 2,000 career postseason points in his 73rd game, tied for third-fastest among active players and ninth in NBA history. He said Harden's performance showed why he wasn't worried after two tough games in Detroit.

“I think the biggest thing is just he’s always consistent. He’s not result based. I think the biggest thing is we’ve seen him thrive and for me and for the group just continue to be like, ‘Hey, we know who you are. Keep being yourself.’ We’ve seen him play at a very high level, so we have no doubt that he’s going to continue to be great,” Mitchell said. “Every game might not be that way for him, for me, for whoever. But it’s just how do you continue to stay even keel and find ways to impact the game.”

Tobias Harris added 21 points for Detroit, which had its five-game playoff win streak snapped.

------

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Series Context

Playoff Series and Prior Meetings

Full meeting history and series status so you can track momentum before tip-off and after the final whistle.

DET leads series 2-1

Playoff Series

CLE at DET

Tue, May 5

101 - 111

Final

CLE at DET

Thu, May 7

97 - 107

Final

DET at CLE

Sat, May 9

109 - 116

Final

DET at CLE

Tue, May 12

103 - 112

Final

CLE at DET

Thu, May 14

117 - 113

Final

DET at CLE

Fri, May 15

115 - 94

Final

CLE at DET

Mon, May 18

125 - 94

Final

Series tied 2-2

Regular Season Series

CLE at DET

Mon, Oct 27

116 - 95

Final

DET at CLE

Sun, Jan 4

114 - 110

Final

CLE at DET

Sat, Feb 28

119 - 122

Final

DET at CLE

Wed, Mar 4

109 - 113

Final

Statistics visualization

Game Analysis

Head-to-head production and efficiency

Game Stats

DET

CLE

41-91FG43-74

45Field Goal %58

9-253PT12-32

36Three Point %38

18-22FT18-28

17Offensive Rebounds5

23Defensive Rebounds28

23Assists22

12Steals3

4Blocks7

15Turnovers15

0Technical Fouls1

27Points Conceded Off Turnovers19

11Fast Break Points10

25Fouls17

7Largest Lead17

Match Leaders

Recent plays and game events

Play By Play

1st Quarter

TIME	PLAY	CLE	DET
12:00	Jalen Duren vs. Jarrett Allen (Duncan Robinson gains possession)	0	0
11:43	Duncan Robinson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cade Cunningham assists)	0	3
11:26	Evan Mobley lost ball turnover (Cade Cunningham steals)	0	3
11:22	Ausar Thompson misses running layup	0	3
11:16	Cade Cunningham offensive rebound	0	3
11:16	Cade Cunningham misses tip shot	0	3
11:15	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	0	3
11:14	Donovan Mitchell makes running layup	2	3
10:59	Jalen Duren makes 2-foot layup (Cade Cunningham assists)	2	5
10:45	James Harden makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot	5	5
10:23	Tobias Harris misses driving floating jump shot	5	5
10:21	Ausar Thompson offensive rebound	5	5
10:20	Cade Cunningham makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ausar Thompson assists)	5	8
10:09	Dean Wade bad pass turnover (Duncan Robinson steals)	5	8
10:05	Donovan Mitchell shooting foul	5	8
10:05	Cade Cunningham makes free throw 1 of 2	5	9
10:05	Cade Cunningham misses free throw 2 of 2	5	9
10:01	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	5	9
9:51	Jarrett Allen steps out of bounds turnover	5	9
9:32	Tobias Harris makes driving layup	5	11
9:19	Donovan Mitchell bad pass turnover (Duncan Robinson steals)	5	11
9:15	Donovan Mitchell shooting foul	5	11
9:15	Duncan Robinson misses free throw 1 of 2	5	11
9:15	Pistons offensive team rebound	5	11
9:15	Duncan Robinson makes free throw 2 of 2	5	12
9:04	Cade Cunningham shooting foul	5	12
9:04	Evan Mobley misses free throw 1 of 2	5	12
9:04	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	5	12
9:04	Evan Mobley makes free throw 2 of 2	6	12
8:45	Tobias Harris steps out of bounds turnover	6	12
8:31	Donovan Mitchell makes 25-foot three pointer (Jarrett Allen assists)	9	12
8:09	Evan Mobley blocks Jalen Duren 's 5-foot floating jump shot	9	12
8:07	Ausar Thompson offensive rebound	9	12
8:05	Ausar Thompson makes 12-foot jumper	9	14
7:53	Donovan Mitchell makes driving layup (James Harden assists)	11	14
7:39	James Harden shooting foul	11	14
7:39	Tobias Harris makes free throw 1 of 2	11	15
7:39	Tobias Harris makes free throw 2 of 2	11	16
7:26	Jarrett Allen makes dunk (James Harden assists)	13	16
7:00	Tobias Harris misses 15-foot pullup jump shot	13	16
6:58	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	13	16
6:53	Donovan Mitchell misses running pullup jump shot	13	16
6:51	Duncan Robinson defensive rebound	13	16
6:43	Jalen Duren makes alley oop dunk (Cade Cunningham assists)	13	18
6:41	Cavaliers Full timeout	13	18
6:41	Jaylon Tyson enters the game for Dean Wade	13	18
6:41	Max Strus enters the game for Evan Mobley	13	18
6:41	Dennis Schroder enters the game for Donovan Mitchell	13	18
6:41	Daniss Jenkins enters the game for Cade Cunningham	13	18
6:26	Jarrett Allen makes 2-foot layup (Max Strus assists)	15	18
6:26	Ausar Thompson shooting foul	15	18
6:26	Jarrett Allen makes free throw 1 of 1	16	18
6:03	Tobias Harris makes two point shot	16	20
5:39	Dennis Schroder makes 22-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)	19	20
5:26	Caris LeVert enters the game for Duncan Robinson	19	20
5:21	Jalen Duren offensive foul	19	20
5:21	Jalen Duren offensive foul turnover	19	20
5:08	Jarrett Allen makes 2-foot two point shot (Dennis Schroder assists)	21	20
5:06	Pistons Full timeout	21	20
5:06	Isaiah Stewart enters the game for Jalen Duren	21	20
5:06	Cade Cunningham enters the game for Daniss Jenkins	21	20
4:49	Isaiah Stewart misses 3-foot two point shot	21	20
4:45	Max Strus defensive rebound	21	20
4:43	Max Strus misses running layup	21	20
4:40	Isaiah Stewart defensive rebound	21	20
4:25	Cade Cunningham misses 24-foot three point step back jumpshot	21	20
4:22	Max Strus defensive rebound	21	20
4:15	Jaylon Tyson misses 26-foot three point step back jumpshot	21	20
4:12	Cade Cunningham defensive rebound	21	20
4:04	Tobias Harris makes 6-foot turnaround jump shot	21	22
3:46	Jarrett Allen makes 4-foot two point shot (Jaylon Tyson assists)	23	22
3:30	Isaiah Stewart makes dunk (Cade Cunningham assists)	23	24
3:18	Dennis Schroder makes driving layup	25	24
2:58	Ausar Thompson misses 4-foot two point shot	25	24
2:56	Jaylon Tyson defensive rebound	25	24
2:44	James Harden makes two point shot (Max Strus assists)	27	24
2:39	Max Strus shooting foul	27	24
2:39	Caris LeVert makes free throw 1 of 2	27	25
2:39	Evan Mobley enters the game for James Harden	27	25
2:39	Donovan Mitchell enters the game for Jarrett Allen	27	25
2:39	Ronald Holland II enters the game for Ausar Thompson	27	25
2:39	Javonte Green enters the game for Tobias Harris	27	25
2:39	Caris LeVert makes free throw 2 of 2	27	26
2:30	Dennis Schroder lost ball turnover (Caris LeVert steals)	27	26
2:27	Caris LeVert makes running dunk	27	28
2:13	Ronald Holland II blocks Donovan Mitchell's layup	27	28
2:11	Cade Cunningham defensive rebound	27	28
2:02	Javonte Green misses 25-foot three point jumper	27	28
1:56	Dennis Schroder defensive rebound	27	28
1:49	Max Strus lost ball turnover (Caris LeVert steals)	27	28
1:41	Caris LeVert misses running pullup jump shot	27	28
1:41	Cade Cunningham offensive rebound	27	28
1:38	Cade Cunningham makes two point shot	27	30
1:38	Cavaliers Full timeout	27	30
1:16	Dennis Schroder makes 25-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)	30	30
49.1	Dennis Schroder blocks Caris LeVert 's 11-foot turnaround jump shot	30	30
49.1	Caris LeVert offensive rebound	30	30
49.1	Caris LeVert steps out of bounds turnover	30	30
29.0	Donovan Mitchell makes 23-foot step back jumpshot (Dennis Schroder assists)	32	30
5.3	Jaylon Tyson blocks Cade Cunningham 's 2-foot driving layup	32	30
5.1	Cade Cunningham offensive rebound	32	30
5.1	Evan Mobley blocks Cade Cunningham 's 5-foot two point shot	32	30
5.1	Pistons offensive team rebound	32	30
5.1	Dean Wade enters the game for Max Strus	32	30
5.1	5 second violation	32	30
5.1	Max Strus enters the game for Dean Wade	32	30
5.1	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Cade Cunningham	32	30
0.0	Donovan Mitchell misses 36-foot three point pullup jump shot	32	30
0.0	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	32	30
0.0	End of the 1st Quarter	32	30

2nd Quarter

TIME	PLAY	CLE	DET
12:00	Sam Merrill enters the game for Dennis Schroder	32	30
12:00	Jalen Duren enters the game for Isaiah Stewart	32	30
12:00	Cade Cunningham enters the game for Ausar Thompson	32	30
11:48	Max Strus misses 27-foot three point jumper	32	30
11:44	Ronald Holland II defensive rebound	32	30
11:26	Cade Cunningham misses driving floating jump shot	32	30
11:24	Jaylon Tyson defensive rebound	32	30
11:19	Javonte Green shooting foul	32	30
11:19	Evan Mobley misses free throw 1 of 2	32	30
11:19	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	32	30
11:19	Evan Mobley misses free throw 2 of 2	32	30
11:18	Pistons defensive team rebound	32	30
11:18	Max Strus loose ball foul	32	30
11:04	Cade Cunningham misses 25-foot three point pullup jump shot	32	30
11:00	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	32	30
10:52	Donovan Mitchell makes 2-foot driving floating jump shot	34	30
10:40	Daniss Jenkins enters the game for Ronald Holland II	34	30
10:33	Evan Mobley shooting foul	34	30
10:33	Jalen Duren makes free throw 1 of 2	34	31
10:33	James Harden enters the game for Max Strus	34	31
10:33	Jalen Duren misses free throw 2 of 2	34	31
10:29	Caris LeVert offensive rebound	34	31
10:22	Cade Cunningham misses 22-foot three point jumper	34	31
10:18	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	34	31
10:04	James Harden bad pass turnover (Jalen Duren steals)	34	31
10:00	Sam Merrill personal foul	34	31
10:00	Duncan Robinson enters the game for Caris LeVert	34	31
9:50	Javonte Green misses 23-foot three point jumper	34	31
9:46	Daniss Jenkins offensive rebound	34	31
9:44	Duncan Robinson misses 25-foot three point jumper	34	31
9:41	Evan Mobley defensive rebound	34	31
9:27	Jaylon Tyson misses 26-foot three point jumper	34	31
9:25	Javonte Green defensive rebound	34	31
9:25	Sam Merrill personal foul	34	31
9:25	Dean Wade enters the game for Jaylon Tyson	34	31
9:06	Cade Cunningham misses 6-foot two point shot	34	31
9:06	Pistons offensive team rebound	34	31
8:57	Daniss Jenkins misses 23-foot three point jumper	34	31
8:53	Javonte Green offensive rebound	34	31
8:47	Javonte Green misses 26-foot three point jumper	34	31
8:43	Evan Mobley defensive rebound	34	31
8:39	Duncan Robinson shooting foul	34	31
8:39	Sam Merrill makes free throw 1 of 2	35	31
8:39	Tobias Harris enters the game for Cade Cunningham	35	31
8:39	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Javonte Green	35	31
8:39	Sam Merrill makes free throw 2 of 2	36	31
8:23	Daniss Jenkins makes layup (Ausar Thompson assists)	36	33
8:08	Donovan Mitchell makes 10-foot two point shot	38	33
7:56	Evan Mobley shooting foul	38	33
7:56	Ausar Thompson misses free throw 1 of 2	38	33
7:56	Pistons offensive team rebound	38	33
7:56	Ausar Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2	38	34
7:38	Dean Wade makes 24-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)	41	34
7:36	Pistons Full timeout	41	34
7:36	Dennis Schroder enters the game for Evan Mobley	41	34
7:36	Jarrett Allen enters the game for Donovan Mitchell	41	34
7:36	Cade Cunningham enters the game for Daniss Jenkins	41	34
7:15	Jarrett Allen blocks Ausar Thompson's driving layup	41	34
7:11	Ausar Thompson offensive rebound	41	34
7:10	Ausar Thompson misses 23-foot three point pullup jump shot	41	34
7:08	Jalen Duren offensive rebound	41	34
7:03	Cade Cunningham misses two point shot	41	34
7:01	Dean Wade defensive rebound	41	34
6:39	Sam Merrill makes 20-foot step back jumpshot	43	34
6:22	Jalen Duren makes driving dunk (Ausar Thompson assists)	43	36
6:18	Ausar Thompson personal foul	43	36
6:01	Dean Wade bad pass turnover (Jalen Duren steals)	43	36
5:58	Cade Cunningham offensive foul	43	36
5:58	Cade Cunningham offensive foul turnover	43	36
5:58	Daniss Jenkins enters the game for Jalen Duren	43	36
5:58	Isaiah Stewart enters the game for Ausar Thompson	43	36
5:58	Pistons Full timeout	43	36
5:58	(05:58) [Pistons] COACH'S CHALLENGE (CALL STANDS) [Pistons] charged with a timeout	43	36
5:40	Jarrett Allen misses 8-foot two point shot	43	36
5:37	Isaiah Stewart defensive rebound	43	36
5:19	Daniss Jenkins misses 5-foot two point shot	43	36
5:18	Pistons offensive team rebound	43	36
5:18	Evan Mobley enters the game for Sam Merrill	43	36
5:18	Max Strus enters the game for Dean Wade	43	36
5:18	Donovan Mitchell enters the game for Dennis Schroder	43	36
5:09	Cade Cunningham misses driving layup	43	36
5:06	Cade Cunningham offensive rebound	43	36
5:05	Cade Cunningham makes tip shot	43	38
4:58	Evan Mobley makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists)	45	38
4:47	Evan Mobley shooting foul	45	38
4:47	Tobias Harris makes free throw 1 of 2	45	39
4:47	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Cade Cunningham	45	39
4:47	Tobias Harris makes free throw 2 of 2	45	40
4:35	Jarrett Allen misses 17-foot jumper	45	40
4:35	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	45	40
4:35	Ausar Thompson loose ball foul	45	40
4:35	Cade Cunningham enters the game for Ausar Thompson	45	40
4:29	James Harden makes 22-foot three point jumper	48	40
4:29	Cade Cunningham shooting foul	48	40
4:29	James Harden misses free throw 1 of 1	48	40
4:26	Evan Mobley offensive rebound	48	40
4:25	Evan Mobley makes dunk	50	40
4:01	Cade Cunningham makes 13-foot fade away jump shot	50	42
3:33	James Harden misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot	50	42
3:30	Duncan Robinson defensive rebound	50	42
3:26	Duncan Robinson makes running dunk	50	44
3:21	Daniss Jenkins personal foul	50	44
3:21	Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2	51	44
3:21	Jalen Duren enters the game for Isaiah Stewart	51	44
3:21	Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2	52	44
3:14	Jalen Duren offensive foul	52	44
3:14	Jalen Duren offensive foul turnover	52	44
3:00	Donovan Mitchell makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot	55	44
2:53	Cade Cunningham out of bounds lost ball turnover	55	44
2:53	Caris LeVert enters the game for Cade Cunningham	55	44
2:40	Jarrett Allen makes 1-foot dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists)	57	44
2:39	Pistons Full timeout	57	44
2:26	Jalen Duren makes dunk (Daniss Jenkins assists)	57	46
2:10	Duncan Robinson blocks Donovan Mitchell 's 17-foot driving floating jump shot	57	46
2:07	Jalen Duren defensive rebound	57	46
2:04	Daniss Jenkins misses running pullup jump shot	57	46
2:00	Max Strus defensive rebound	57	46
1:56	Tobias Harris shooting foul	57	46
1:56	Evan Mobley misses free throw 1 of 2	57	46
1:56	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	57	46
1:56	Evan Mobley makes free throw 2 of 2	58	46
1:33	Daniss Jenkins misses 22-foot three point jumper	58	46
1:30	Max Strus defensive rebound	58	46
1:24	Donovan Mitchell makes 1-foot two point shot	60	46
1:14	Jalen Duren offensive foul	60	46
1:14	Jalen Duren offensive foul turnover	60	46
1:14	Isaiah Stewart enters the game for Jalen Duren	60	46
1:01	Isaiah Stewart shooting foul	60	46
1:01	Jarrett Allen misses free throw 1 of 2	60	46
1:01	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	60	46
1:01	Jarrett Allen makes free throw 2 of 2	61	46
41.3	Caris LeVert misses 8-foot two point shot	61	46
39.3	Cavaliers defensive team rebound	61	46
39.3	Cavaliers Coach's Challenge	61	46
39.3	(00:39.3) [Cavaliers] COACH'S CHALLENGE (CALL OVERTURNED) [Cavaliers] retain their timeout	61	46
39.3	Isaiah Stewart loose ball foul	61	46
39.3	Jarrett Allen misses free throw 1 of 2	61	46
39.3	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	61	46
39.3	Jarrett Allen makes free throw 2 of 2	62	46
27.9	Isaiah Stewart makes 1-foot layup (Duncan Robinson assists)	62	48
11.0	Evan Mobley makes driving dunk (James Harden assists)	64	48
4.7	Tobias Harris misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot	64	48
1.4	Jarrett Allen defensive rebound	64	48
0.0	End of the 2nd Quarter	64	48

3rd Quarter

TIME	PLAY	CLE	DET
12:00	Dean Wade enters the game for Max Strus	64	48
12:00	Cade Cunningham enters the game for Caris LeVert	64	48
12:00	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Daniss Jenkins	64	48
12:00	Jalen Duren enters the game for Isaiah Stewart	64	48
11:46	Tobias Harris shooting foul	64	48
11:46	Evan Mobley misses free throw 1 of 2	64	48
11:46	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	64	48
11:46	Evan Mobley makes free throw 2 of 2	65	48
11:22	Jalen Duren makes layup (Cade Cunningham assists)	65	50
11:14	Donovan Mitchell makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot	67	50
10:56	Jarrett Allen shooting foul	67	50
10:56	Cade Cunningham makes free throw 1 of 2	67	51
10:56	Cade Cunningham makes free throw 2 of 2	67	52
10:40	Donovan Mitchell traveling turnover	67	52
10:19	Duncan Robinson misses 27-foot three point jumper	67	52
10:18	Cavaliers defensive team rebound	67	52
10:07	Evan Mobley misses 24-foot three point jumper	67	52
10:04	Jalen Duren defensive rebound	67	52
9:59	Ausar Thompson makes two point shot	67	54
9:37	James Harden misses 25-foot three point step back jumpshot	67	54
9:34	Tobias Harris defensive rebound	67	54
9:27	Jalen Duren misses two point shot	67	54
9:25	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	67	54
9:12	James Harden makes 6-foot two point shot (Evan Mobley assists)	69	54
8:56	Evan Mobley defensive 3-seconds (technical foul)	69	54
8:56	Cade Cunningham makes technical free throw	69	55
8:43	Ausar Thompson misses 10-foot two point shot	69	55
8:40	Jarrett Allen defensive rebound	69	55
8:24	Donovan Mitchell misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot	69	55
8:21	Tobias Harris defensive rebound	69	55
8:17	Tobias Harris misses running layup	69	55
8:15	Evan Mobley defensive rebound	69	55
8:07	James Harden misses 25-foot running jump shot	69	55
8:05	Tobias Harris defensive rebound	69	55
7:55	Cade Cunningham misses 14-foot fade away jump shot	69	55
7:53	Evan Mobley defensive rebound	69	55
7:33	Dean Wade misses 22-foot three point jumper	69	55
7:30	Tobias Harris defensive rebound	69	55
7:23	Tobias Harris makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ausar Thompson assists)	69	58
7:21	Cavaliers Full timeout	69	58
7:21	Max Strus enters the game for Evan Mobley	69	58
7:21	Dennis Schroder enters the game for Donovan Mitchell	69	58
6:56	Max Strus makes 26-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)	72	58
6:33	Jarrett Allen blocks Cade Cunningham 's 3-foot driving layup	72	58
6:28	Cade Cunningham offensive rebound	72	58
6:27	Cade Cunningham makes two point shot	72	60
6:20	James Harden bad pass turnover (Duncan Robinson steals)	72	60
6:10	Ausar Thompson makes 1-foot layup (Cade Cunningham assists)	72	62
5:53	Max Strus misses 25-foot three point jumper	72	62
5:49	Duncan Robinson defensive rebound	72	62
5:33	Ausar Thompson makes 21-foot jumper (Cade Cunningham assists)	72	64
5:09	James Harden misses 25-foot three point step back jumpshot	72	64
5:07	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	72	64
5:07	Jaylon Tyson enters the game for Dean Wade	72	64
5:07	Paul Reed enters the game for Jalen Duren	72	64
4:54	Ausar Thompson blocks James Harden 's 15-foot pullup jump shot	72	64
4:53	Cade Cunningham defensive rebound	72	64
4:52	Cade Cunningham bad pass turnover (James Harden steals)	72	64
4:45	Jarrett Allen makes alley oop layup (Jaylon Tyson assists)	74	64
4:32	Duncan Robinson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Cade Cunningham assists)	74	67
4:15	Dennis Schroder bad pass turnover (Duncan Robinson steals)	74	67
4:04	Paul Reed makes 2-foot dunk (Duncan Robinson assists)	74	69
4:04	Cavaliers Full timeout	74	69
4:04	Donovan Mitchell enters the game for James Harden	74	69
4:04	Evan Mobley enters the game for Jarrett Allen	74	69
4:04	Caris LeVert enters the game for Duncan Robinson	74	69
3:51	Evan Mobley misses 25-foot three point jumper	74	69
3:49	Ausar Thompson defensive rebound	74	69
3:32	Cade Cunningham makes 13-foot step back jumpshot	74	71
3:08	Donovan Mitchell lost ball turnover (Caris LeVert steals)	74	71
3:05	Cade Cunningham makes 1-foot running pullup jump shot	74	73
3:05	Max Strus shooting foul	74	73
3:05	Cade Cunningham makes free throw 1 of 1	74	74
2:54	Dennis Schroder misses driving layup	74	74
2:51	Pistons defensive team rebound	74	74
2:31	Tobias Harris misses 1-foot two point shot	74	74
2:29	Paul Reed offensive rebound	74	74
2:28	Paul Reed makes dunk	74	76
2:11	Donovan Mitchell misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot	74	76
2:09	Paul Reed defensive rebound	74	76
2:04	Cade Cunningham out of bounds bad pass turnover	74	76
1:54	Max Strus makes layup (Evan Mobley assists)	76	76
1:50	Cade Cunningham out of bounds bad pass turnover	76	76
1:50	Daniss Jenkins enters the game for Cade Cunningham	76	76
1:50	Javonte Green enters the game for Tobias Harris	76	76
1:45	Jaylon Tyson makes 22-foot three point jumper (Evan Mobley assists)	79	76
1:18	Caris LeVert misses 10-foot fade away jump shot	79	76
1:15	Max Strus defensive rebound	79	76
1:14	Daniss Jenkins personal foul	79	76
1:14	Tobias Harris enters the game for Ausar Thompson	79	76
1:03	Donovan Mitchell makes 12-foot driving floating jump shot	81	76
42.6	Tobias Harris misses 13-foot fade away jump shot	81	76
40.6	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	81	76
30.4	Donovan Mitchell makes 8-foot pullup jump shot	83	76
5.8	Max Strus shooting foul	83	76
5.8	(00:05.8) [Pistons] REF-INITIATED REVIEW (REPLAY SUPPORTS CALL)	83	76
5.8	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Daniss Jenkins	83	76
5.8	Tobias Harris makes 14-foot pullup jump shot	83	78
5.8	Tobias Harris makes free throw 1 of 1	83	79
5.0	Jaylon Tyson bad pass turnover (Caris LeVert steals)	83	78
3.6	Javonte Green misses layup	83	78
3.5	Tobias Harris offensive rebound	83	78
3.0	Tobias Harris makes tip shot	83	80
0.0	Donovan Mitchell misses heave jump shot	83	78
0.0	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	83	78
0.0	End of the 3rd Quarter	83	78

4th Quarter

TIME	PLAY	CLE	DET
12:00	Sam Merrill enters the game for Max Strus	83	78
12:00	James Harden enters the game for Jaylon Tyson	83	78
12:00	Jalen Duren enters the game for Paul Reed	83	78
12:00	Cade Cunningham enters the game for Tobias Harris	83	78
12:00	Duncan Robinson enters the game for Ausar Thompson	83	78
11:42	Cade Cunningham misses 14-foot two point shot	83	78
11:40	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	83	78
11:34	Donovan Mitchell makes running layup	85	78
11:19	Cade Cunningham misses driving floating jump shot	85	78
11:16	Cade Cunningham offensive rebound	85	78
11:11	Caris LeVert makes 1-foot dunk (Jalen Duren assists)	85	80
10:45	Donovan Mitchell misses 23-foot three point jumper	85	80
10:43	Evan Mobley offensive rebound	85	80
10:28	Sam Merrill misses 23-foot three point step back jumpshot	85	80
10:27	James Harden offensive rebound	85	80
10:14	Cade Cunningham shooting foul	85	80
10:14	Evan Mobley makes free throw 1 of 2	86	80
10:14	Evan Mobley makes free throw 2 of 2	87	80
9:57	Javonte Green makes 24-foot three point jumper (Duncan Robinson assists)	87	83
9:39	Sam Merrill makes 23-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)	90	83
9:26	Dennis Schroder blocks Cade Cunningham 's 13-foot driving floating jump shot	90	83
9:26	Pistons offensive team rebound	90	83
9:26	Daniss Jenkins enters the game for Duncan Robinson	90	83
9:18	Jalen Duren misses driving layup	90	83
9:16	James Harden defensive rebound	90	83
9:11	Donovan Mitchell makes two point shot (James Harden assists)	92	83
9:11	Pistons Full timeout	92	83
9:11	Paul Reed enters the game for Jalen Duren	92	85
9:11	Duncan Robinson enters the game for Caris LeVert	92	85
9:07	Daniss Jenkins offensive foul	92	85
9:07	Daniss Jenkins offensive foul turnover	92	85
9:07	(09:07) [Pistons] REF-INITIATED REVIEW (REPLAY SUPPORTS CALL)	92	85
8:54	Evan Mobley makes 2-foot driving floating jump shot	94	85
8:35	Donovan Mitchell personal foul	94	85
8:27	Paul Reed makes driving layup (Cade Cunningham assists)	94	87
8:27	Evan Mobley shooting foul	94	87
8:27	Tobias Harris enters the game for Cade Cunningham	94	87
8:27	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Javonte Green	94	87
8:27	Paul Reed makes free throw 1 of 1	94	88
8:03	James Harden makes 1-foot driving floating jump shot	96	88
7:45	Paul Reed makes 13-foot two point shot (Daniss Jenkins assists)	96	90
7:32	Cavaliers Full timeout	96	90
7:26	Dennis Schroder makes 23-foot three point jumper (Evan Mobley assists)	99	90
7:09	Duncan Robinson makes 31-foot jump bank shot (Daniss Jenkins assists)	99	93
6:50	James Harden bad pass turnover (Duncan Robinson steals)	99	93
6:43	Duncan Robinson misses running pullup jump shot	99	93
6:43	Paul Reed offensive rebound	99	93
6:43	Evan Mobley shooting foul	99	93
6:43	Paul Reed makes free throw 1 of 2	99	94
6:43	Jarrett Allen enters the game for Evan Mobley	99	94
6:43	Cade Cunningham enters the game for Daniss Jenkins	99	94
6:43	Paul Reed makes free throw 2 of 2	99	95
6:28	Sam Merrill misses 26-foot three point step back jumpshot	99	95
6:25	Ausar Thompson defensive rebound	99	95
6:17	Paul Reed offensive foul	99	95
6:17	Paul Reed offensive foul turnover	99	95
6:01	Paul Reed shooting foul	99	95
6:01	Jarrett Allen makes free throw 1 of 2	100	95
6:01	Max Strus enters the game for Dennis Schroder	100	95
6:01	Jarrett Allen misses free throw 2 of 2	100	95
5:59	Ausar Thompson defensive rebound	100	95
5:40	Cade Cunningham makes 16-foot step back jumpshot (Duncan Robinson assists)	100	97
5:16	Donovan Mitchell misses 17-foot step back jumpshot	100	97
5:13	Ausar Thompson defensive rebound	100	97
4:57	Tobias Harris makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ausar Thompson assists)	100	100
4:32	Ausar Thompson shooting foul	100	100
4:32	Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2	101	100
4:32	Evan Mobley enters the game for Sam Merrill	101	100
4:32	Jalen Duren enters the game for Paul Reed	101	100
4:32	Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2	102	100
4:10	Ausar Thompson misses 22-foot three point jumper	102	100
4:07	Evan Mobley defensive rebound	102	100
4:01	Ausar Thompson blocks Donovan Mitchell 's 8-foot driving floating jump shot	102	100
4:01	Cavaliers offensive team rebound	102	100
3:57	Max Strus misses 23-foot three point jumper	102	100
3:55	Jalen Duren defensive rebound	102	100
3:42	Tobias Harris misses 7-foot two point shot	102	100
3:41	Cavaliers defensive team rebound	102	100
3:26	James Harden misses driving floating jump shot	102	100
3:24	Jarrett Allen offensive rebound	102	100
3:23	Jarrett Allen makes dunk	104	100
3:14	Duncan Robinson makes 27-foot three point jumper (Cade Cunningham assists)	104	103
3:05	Max Strus offensive foul	104	103
3:05	Max Strus offensive foul turnover	104	103
3:05	Daniss Jenkins enters the game for Ausar Thompson	104	103
2:46	Cade Cunningham misses 12-foot fade away jump shot	104	103
2:44	Evan Mobley defensive rebound	104	103
2:37	Donovan Mitchell misses 26-foot three point step back jumpshot	104	103
2:34	Pistons defensive team rebound	104	103
2:32	Cade Cunningham bad pass turnover (Max Strus steals)	104	103
2:28	Max Strus makes running layup	106	103
2:08	Cade Cunningham bad pass turnover (Jarrett Allen steals)	106	103
2:01	Donovan Mitchell misses running layup	106	103
1:54	Cade Cunningham defensive rebound	106	103
1:51	Cade Cunningham out of bounds bad pass turnover	106	103
1:51	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Duncan Robinson	106	103
1:29	James Harden makes 15-foot step back jumpshot	108	103
1:29	Pistons Full timeout	108	103
1:29	Duncan Robinson enters the game for Ausar Thompson	108	103
1:21	Cade Cunningham makes 1-foot driving dunk	108	105
59.0	James Harden makes 6-foot driving floating jump shot	110	105
50.2	Cade Cunningham makes 28-foot three pointer	110	108
45.5	Duncan Robinson personal foul	110	108
45.5	Ausar Thompson enters the game for Duncan Robinson	110	108
25.9	James Harden makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot	113	108
25.9	Pistons Full timeout	113	108
25.9	Dean Wade enters the game for Max Strus	113	108
25.9	Duncan Robinson enters the game for Ausar Thompson	113	108
22.6	Duncan Robinson misses 25-foot three point shot	113	108
20.4	Jarrett Allen defensive rebound	113	108
20.4	Cade Cunningham personal foul	113	108
20.4	Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2	114	108
20.4	Donovan Mitchell misses free throw 2 of 2	114	108
17.4	Donovan Mitchell offensive rebound	114	108
15.3	Duncan Robinson personal foul	114	108
15.3	Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2	115	108
15.3	Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2	116	108
5.0	Cade Cunningham misses 25-foot three point shot	116	108
2.9	Donovan Mitchell defensive rebound	116	108
0.0	End of the 4th Quarter	116	108
0.0	End of Game	116	108

Time, Location & Referees

Game Information

Venue

Rocket Arena

Cleveland, OH

Date & Time

7:00 PM, May 9, 2026

Coverage

NBC, Peacock

Attendance

19,432

Referees

Pat Fraher, Courtney Kirkland, Scott Foster, Tre Maddox

2025-26 Central Standings

TEAM	W	L	PCT	STRK
Detroit	60	22	.732	W3
Cleveland	52	30	.634	W1
Milwaukee	32	50	.390	L1
Chicago	31	51	.378	L2
Indiana	19	63	.232	L2

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Harden hits clutch shots, Mitchell scores 35 and the Cavaliers beat the Pistons 116-109 in Game 3

Game Article

Game Recap

Playoff Series and Prior Meetings

Playoff Series

Regular Season Series

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Game Analysis

Game Stats

Match Leaders

Points

Assists

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1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

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2025-26 Central Standings

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