Starting 5: Pistons, Rockets stave off elimination; Cavs take 3-2 series lead

Cade. Paolo. Matching 45s.

An all-time duel in Game 5 – and a Cunningham dagger to keep the Pistons’ season alive.

For the first time in 12 years, six First-Round series will go at least six games.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Cade’s Clutch Save: A Pistons Playoff scoring record, a historic duel and a Game 6 Friday

Back To Houston: Rockets soar past Lakers in L.A., trim series deficit to 3-2

Cavs Take Control: Cleveland’s late surge flips Game 5 for a 3-2 lead over Toronto

Win Or Go Home: Jokić, Embiid at the center of two elimination duels – can they answer again?

Knicks at Hawks: New York seeks closeout win, Atlanta fights to extend season

BUT FIRST … ⏰

The NBA Playoffs bring three Game 6s tonight, with the Celtics, Wolves and Knicks – all up 3-2 – looking to close out their series.

• Knicks at Hawks (7 ET, ESPN | Tap to Watch)
• Celtics at 76ers (8 ET, Peacock | Tap to Watch)
• Nuggets at Wolves (9:30 ET | Tap to Watch)

Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan has been named the 2025-26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year.

See the full NBA Awards results and upcoming announcement schedule here.

1. CADE OUTDUELS PAOLO IN CLASSIC AS PISTONS STAY ALIVE

Forty-five for Cade Cunningham. Forty-five for Paolo Banchero.

The NBA’s second-ever 45+ point Playoff duel rocked Game 5, with the No. 1 seed’s season on the line.

Pistons 116, Magic 109: Cunningham’s 45 set a new franchise Playoff record, along with a personal Playoff-high five 3s, getting the final word over Banchero (45 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast, 6 3s) with a fadeaway dagger to keep Detroit’s season alive.

Tobias Harris (23 pts, 8 reb) flanked Cade and Anthony Black (19 pts, 5 reb, 3 stl) did the same for Paolo with a Playoff career-high. Up 3-2, Orlando can clinch the series in Game 6 at home. | Recap

• “Back against the wall, never-say-die mentality,” Cunningham said of his team. “We’ve had a great year so far, but we have a lot of dogs on our team, and we’re at our best when our backs are against the wall.”

In a win-or-go-home game they led from tip to finish, the Pistons built two 15+ point leads, including a 4th-quarter edge that withstood an 18-point flurry from Banchero:

• First Strike: Down 15 with 10 minutes to go, Paolo went to work with a transition take and a turnaround J to cross 30+ points
• Full Flurry: Another minute gone, he sank his first of four 4th-quarter triples to launch an 8-point spurt. Just like that, Orlando was within eight (106-98)
• Cade Answers: Scoreless so far in the 4th, Cunningham (14-14 FTs) got going on two trips to the line to cross 40+. Detroit was back up nine with 4:30 left
• Back-&-Forth: Banchero drilled back-to-back 3s – the second pulling Orlando within three in the final minute – and Cunningham answered in between as the two former No. 1 picks went shot-for-shot
• Pistons’ MO: Jalen Duren swatted Paolo’s next attempt, and Ausar Thompson’s dive saved the ensuing possession to Cade, who reset one-on-one, got downhill and faded for 45 and the dagger (114-109)

“It was great basketball. He’s a great player,” Cade said of the duel. “We have to make plays and make sure we put our teams on our back.

My team made a lot of great plays today.”

Banchero said: “In the heat of the moment, you’re not really thinking about it … Me and him [have] been going at it since AAU days, so no surprise there …”

• Matching 45s: Banchero and Cunningham join Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell (2020 First Round) as the only pairs of opposing players to each drop 45+ in Playoff history
• First Since Shaq & AI: It’s also the second time ever a pair of No. 1 draft picks have dueled for 40+ each in the postseason, after Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson did so in Game 1 of the 2001 Finals
• Pistons Lore: Cunningham broke Dave Bing’s franchise Playoff scoring record of 44 set in 1968 – doing so in Detroit’s 300th postseason game since then
• Magic First: Banchero was one point shy of Orlando’s single-game Playoff record (46 – shared by Dwight Howard & Tracy McGrady), while becoming the first Magic player to post at least 45/5/5 in a Playoff game

For the first time since 2003, all four East First Round series will play a Game 6. Detroit will try to avoid elimination again Friday in Orlando (7 ET, Prime).

“We dug ourselves a big hole. It’s gonna be tough for us to climb out of but… we’re ready to get back to Orlando,” said Cunningham.

2. BACK TO HOUSTON: ROCKETS SOAR PAST LAKERS, FORCE GAME 6

In Game 3, a steal-and-score swung momentum – and the win – L.A.’s way.

In Game 5, a steal-and-score shut down another Lakers run, and kept the Rockets in control.

Both pivotal plays involved LeBron James and Reed Sheppard. This time, it was Sheppard who stole the moment.  

Rockets 99, Lakers 93: Five Rockets starters in double figures were led by Jabari Smith Jr. (22 pts, 7 reb) as Houston survived another elimination game, sending the series back to Texas for Game 6 after trailing 3-0.

Alperen Sengun (14 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast) was close to a triple-double, facilitating a second straight win without Kevin Durant, and spoiling Austin Reaves’ return from a nine-game absence (oblique). | Recap

• Rallying Again: After leading throughout the 2nd half by as many as 13, Houston saw its lead cut to just three in an 11-1 Lakers charge, fueled by 6 of LeBron’s 11 4th-quarter points
• Reed Responds: That’s when Sheppard’s score-steal-slam sequence stopped the Lakers’ comeback in its tracks, as Houston went 7-of-8 at the line from there to secure the win

Houston has held L.A. under 100 points in both wins since the Lakers flipped Game 3. Film study of the final 30 seconds of that loss has reignited the Rockets.

• “We watched, we learned, and we showed it today,” Sengun said. “Nobody’s tired. We’re gonna protect home and come back here for Game 7.”
• “I’m super proud of us,” Sheppard said. “Being able to control that ending of the game a little better and get that win was huge.”
• King Clamps: Despite the late surge, Houston kept LeBron (25 pts, 7 ast) scoreless from distance (0-6 3FG), including three attempts in the clutch
• Milestone Theft: James’ two steals made him the only player in NBA history to reach 500 career Playoff swipes
• Reaves & Rebounds: Reaves logged 22 points and six assists in his return, while Deandre Ayton (18 pts, 17 reb) helped L.A. outrebound the season leaders, 41-34

Houston aims to knot the series 3-3 in Game 6 on Friday (9:30 ET, Prime).

3. CAVS RALLY PAST RAPTORS FOR 3-2 SERIES LEAD

Down early, clutch late.

The Cavs are headed to Toronto with a 3-2 lead.

Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120: Ja’Kobe Walter (20 pts, 6 3s, 4 stl) and RJ Barrett (25 pts, 12 reb, 5 ast) powered a 74-point 1st half for Toronto, giving the Raptors a six-point lead at the break. But then Cleveland came alive, chipping away before making its move:

An 18-5 surge bridging the 3rd and 4th quarters flipped the game, igniting Rocket Arena as the Cavs took the lead for good and seized control of the series. | Recap

• Early Lift: James Harden (23 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast) scored 19 in the 1st half to keep Cleveland within striking distance, before the Cavs’ other two All-Stars turned up
• Rally Starter: Down 12 early in the 3rd, Donovan Mitchell (19 pts, 5 reb) brought the crowd to life with a big-time hammer, sparking a 10-1 run to get within three
• Another One: Mitchell threw down a second jam late in the 3rd, triggering Cleveland’s decisive burst
• Menacing Mobley: Meanwhile, Evan Mobley came alive inside (23 pts, 9 reb, 3 blk), dropping 16 in the 2nd half, while Dennis Schröder (19 pts) added 13
• Closing Combo: That included 17 combined points from Schröder (11) and Mobley (6) in the 4th, where Cleveland outscored Toronto 25-17

Three-ignited: After being held under 105 points in back-to-back losses, including 87 in Game 4, Cleveland’s 4th-ranked scoring offense rediscovered its rhythm for a series-shifting win.

The key? The 3.

• Better Shots: The Cavs were held to an average of 12 made 3s on 42.5 attempts in Games 3 & 4. Last night, they drilled 18 on 36 attempts (50%)
• Better Results: Six players hit multiple 3s, led by Harden (4-of-8), Mobley (3-of-3), Mitchell (3-of-5) and Schröder (3-of-6), who all shot 50% or better from deep
• Winning Formula: Cleveland is 30-10 when hitting 15+ 3s this season, and 2-0 in the Playoffs
• Up Next: The series heads back to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday (7:30 ET, Prime), with the Cavs looking to close it out and the Raptors seeking a Game 7

4. TWO ELIMINATION GAMES TONIGHT: CELTICS AT SIXERS, NUGGETS AT WOLVES

Two former Kia MVP centers stared down elimination in Game 5 – and both answered.

• Nikola Jokić powered Denver past Minnesota on Monday with a monster triple-double (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast)
• Joel Embiid lifted Philly in Boston on Tuesday with a 33-point, 8-assist takeover

Tonight, with their teams down 3-2, Embiid and Jokić will look to deliver again, as Philly hosts Boston (8 ET, Peacock), while Denver visits Minnesota (9:30 ET, ESPN).

• A win for the Sixers or Nuggets would force a Game 7
• A loss ends their seasons

Embiid’s Answer: Down 13 in the 3rd quarter, Embiid rallied Philly with 18 points on 70% shooting in the 2nd half. By night’s end, he had scored or assisted on 54 of Philly’s 113 points (47.8%) – the most he’s ever created in an elimination game.

But for Embiid, the moment meant more than a win.

• The Setback: After missing nearly a month with an oblique strain post All-Star, Embiid appeared on track for a postseason return – until appendicitis required emergency surgery on April 9
• The Comeback: Less than three weeks later, in his second game back, Embiid fueled Philly’s Game 5 rally to extend the season – embracing the pressure with a renewed appreciation
• “I just want to play basketball,” said Embiid. “I just want to enjoy this moment, being part of a basketball team that’s trying to accomplish something.”

Joker’s Gem: While Embiid’s resilience powered Philly, Jokić jumpstarted Denver. The Nuggets had lost three straight entering Monday, falling into a 3-1 hole with a surging Wolves squad looking to close the series.

The Joker had other plans – once again delivering when his team needed it most.

• Always On Time: It was Jokić’s 221st career triple-double (regular season & Playoffs) – tying Russell Westbrook for the most all-time – and his third when facing elimination
• Rare Response: Outside of Jokić and Russ (1x each), only one player has posted a 25+ point, 15+ assist triple-double in an elimination game: Oscar Robertson in 1964
• Winning Answer: With Joker dealing (16 ast), Denver tallied 35 assists, more than they had in Games 3 and 4 combined (33)
• Been Here Before: Down 3-2, Denver is two wins from another 3-1 comeback, something the league hasn’t seen since 2020 – when Jokić’s Nuggets pulled it off twice in one Playoff run
• Dangerous Duo: That includes a combined 51.4 ppg from Jokić (25.1) and Jamal Murray (26.3) in elimination games together, leading Denver to a 10-4 record

Tonight’s Test: While Denver leans on its stars, Minnesota will rely on its depth since Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) are out. That includes the 18,000+ strong in Target Center, where the Wolves are 7-2 in the last two postseasons.

Boston, meanwhile, heads to Philly behind Jaylen Brown (25.8) and Jayson Tatum (24.6), who are combining for 50.6 ppg this postseason – with a fifth straight East Semis within reach.

5. GAME 6 IN ATLANTA: KNICKS LOOK TO ADVANCE, HAWKS AIM TO FORCE GAME 7

Down 2-1 and without home-court advantage after dropping Games 2 and 3, the Knicks were two losses from elimination.

Along came Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The star duo reminded the Hawks in Games 4 and 5 why they’re among the league’s best.

Tonight (7 ET, ESPN), they can punch New York’s ticket back to the East Semifinals, with the Knicks up 3-2, seeking a closeout win in Atlanta.

• Bruns-Him: In the last two contests, Brunson has been a sizzling shooter, averaging 29 ppg on 53.7% from the field and 50% from 3
• KAT Attack: Towns is averaging 18 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists over the last two games, while holding opponents to 40% shooting at the rim
• “There’s nothing that will deter the group,” said coach Mike Brown. “They’re a veteran group that knows what they want and how to go get it, no matter what’s in front of them.”

It’s not just Brunson and Towns.

As a unit, the Knicks’ defense flipped a switch following consecutive one-point losses.

• How It Began: Their rating on that side of the ball was 108.9 through Games 1-3, as the Hawks shot 45.2% from the field and 30.8% from deep
• And Now: In Games 4 and 5, the Knicks improved to a 103.7 DefRtg, while limiting Atlanta to 42.8% from the field and 27.7% from 3

After posting fewer than 100 points in Games 3 and 4, Atlanta’s hopes in Game 6 start with scoring.

• Can ATL Break Through? The Hawks are no strangers to getting buckets. Their 121 ppg after the All-Star Break ranked 4th-best in the league
• Call On McCollum? The 13th-year guard has dropped 30+ points five times across 14 elimination games since 2015, averaging 25.6 ppg
• “Everybody needs to make plays for each other,” said coach Quin Snyder. “When we’re playing well, that’s what it looks like. CJ’s a competitor, but it’s us.”

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