Detroit Pistons complete 3-1 comeback, beat Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7 to win first playoff series since 2008 [VIDEO]

Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 12 assists, Tobias Harris added 30, and Detroit outscored Orlando 40-27 in the second quarter.

The Detroit Pistons walked off their home floor on May 3, 2026, as winners of a playoff series for the first time since 2008. They beat the Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7, completing a comeback from a 3-1 deficit. The top-seeded Pistons became the 15th team in NBA history to overcome such a hole. The eighth-seeded Magic had two chances to close out the series at home. Instead, they went home with nothing.

The game was nationally televised on ABC with a 3:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Mike Breen called play-by-play. Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler provided analysis. Lisa Salters reported from the sideline. The pregame show featured Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith. The broadcast experienced audio synchronization issues, but the action on the court needed no explanation.

The game was tight for one quarter. First, Tobias Harris happened. Then Cade Cunningham took over. The second quarter turned into a 40-point explosion. In the third quarter, it became a clinic. The fourth quarter was a celebration. Detroit shot 51.3 percent from the field and 48.5 percent from three. Orlando shot 41.3 percent and had no answers.

Banchero Comes Out Firing, But Magic Can’t Hold the Lead

The first quarter belonged to Paolo Banchero. The Magic’s young star had already scored 45 points in a playoff game during this series. He showed that same fire in Game 7. He scored 11 of Orlando’s first 15 points, knocking down three-pointers with the confidence of a player who had nothing to lose. The quarter featured 12 lead changes and seven ties in the first 12 minutes alone.

Detroit stayed within striking distance through a balanced attack. Ausar Thompson converted a layup through contact and drew a foul. Tobias Harris threw down a fast-break slam that energized the home crowd. Daniss Jenkins hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 15-15. Jalen Duren made one of two free throws to keep the Pistons within reach.

Orlando answered every Detroit push. Moritz Wagner hit a jumper and a corner three. Anthony Black threw down an alley-oop that brought the Magic bench to its feet. When Cunningham made two free throws to cut the lead to 22-20, the quarter ended. Both teams had landed punches. Neither had landed a knockout. That would change quickly.

Tobias Harris Erupts for 17 in the Second, Pistons Take Control

The second quarter was a disaster for Orlando. The Magic had committed multiple fouls early, and by halftime, five Orlando players had two or more fouls each. Their defensive rotations slowed. Their offense stagnated. The Pistons pounced.

Harris caught fire. He scored 11 straight points for Detroit during one stretch. Then, he hit a floater over a defender. After that, Harris converted a layup through contact and made the free throw. He knocked down a jumper from the elbow. He drilled a corner three that forced an Orlando timeout. By the time the quarter ended, Harris had 17 points in the period alone.

The Pistons closed the half on a 20-6 run. Cunningham drew fouls and converted free throws. Thompson dunked off a steal. Cunningham hit a step-back three. The lead grew from three points to 11. Jalen Suggs limped off the court after a late play, grabbing at his leg. The Magic called timeout, but the damage was done. The scoreboard read 60-49 at the break. Banchero had 23 points of his own, but he was a solo act. The rest of his team had combined for 26.

Pistons Push Lead to 19, Magic Have No Counter

The third quarter was more of the same. Detroit opened the period on an 11-2 run that silenced any hopes of an Orlando comeback. Duren threw a lob to Cunningham for an easy layup. Thompson stripped a defender and slammed it home on the other end. Cunningham threw down a one-handed dunk that forced an Orlando timeout at the 8:13 mark.

The lead hit 20 points two minutes later. Cunningham blocked a Suggs layup attempt. Harris hit a corner three. Cunningham hit a floater. The crowd at Little Caesars Arena roared with every basket. The Magic looked exhausted.

Orlando made one final push. Banchero scored off his own rebound. Bane hit a floater. Banchero converted free throws after a steal. The Magic cut the deficit to 13 points. The crowd held its breath. Then Cunningham answered. First, he hit a pull-up jumper. After that, he hit a three-pointer. Then, he hit another pull-up. Jenkins buried a buzzer-beating three to end the quarter. The lead was 19. The Magic had scored 15 points in the period. It was the third time in five quarters they had failed to reach 20.

Game 7 Ends With a Blowout and a Celebration

The fourth quarter was a formality. Javonte Green hit a corner three to push the lead to 22. Duren blocked a shot on one end and fouled Suggs on the other, sending him to the line for two free throws. Jenkins hit another three off a Cunningham assist. The lead hit 23. The Magic called timeout.

They made one last push. Wendell Carter Jr. scored inside. Anthony Black added a basket. Banchero scored again. The lead shrank to 14. The crowd shifted nervously. Then Harris hit a corner three. Duren threw down a fast-break jam off a Harris assist. Cunningham made free throws. The lead was safe.

The starters checked out with 1:33 remaining. Jenkins added late free throws as the clock expired. The final score was 116-94. Cunningham finished with 32 points and 12 assists. Harris had 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. Duren grabbed 15 rebounds. Banchero had 38 points and nine rebounds in the loss. He was the last Magic player to leave the floor.

What the Comeback Means for Detroit

The Pistons had not won a playoff series since 2008. They had not been past the first round in nearly two decades. This team was different. First, they lost three of the first four games to an eighth seed. They could have folded. However, they did not.

Game 5 was a win at home. Game 6 was a 24-point comeback on the road in Orlando. Finally, Game 7 was a 22-point beatdown. The Pistons outscored Orlando 55-19 in the second half of Game 6. They outscored them 40-27 in the second quarter of Game 7. After that, Detroit never trailed in the second half of the decisive game.

Cunningham played like a superstar. Harris played like a veteran. Duren dominated the glass. Thompson was a defensive menace. The bench contributed. The defense tightened. The Pistons are moving on to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Magic are going home. The series was tied 3-3. Then it was not.

Conclusion

The Pistons trailed the series 3-1. They won three straight games. They won Game 7 by 22 points. Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 12 assists. Tobias Harris scored 30. Jalen Duren grabbed 15 rebounds. Paolo Banchero scored 38 in the loss.

The Pistons shot 51 percent from the field. They made 16 three-pointers. Orlando scored 15 points in the third quarter.

The home playoff losing streak is over. The series comeback is complete. The Pistons are moving on. The Magic are going home. The semifinals await.

Cleveland is next.

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