The Cleveland Cavaliers needed seven games to beat the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 playoffs.
It took longer than many expected, but the Cleveland Cavaliers are headed to the second round of the 2026 playoffs after beating the Toronto Raptors in the first round.
The Cavaliers needed seven games to beat the Raptors, who put up a great fight. Cleveland won all four games at home and will face the Detroit Pistons in the second round.
After Game 7 on Sunday, Cavaliers All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell opened up about beating the Raptors and advancing to the conference semifinals.
As the caption says, Mitchell has never been to the conference finals in his career. To beat the Pistons, Mitchell will have to get the best of his old coach, J.B. Bickerstaff.
There is a lot on the line for Mitchell and the Cavaliers against the Pistons. According to The Athletic's Fred Katz, the Cavaliers are prepared to explore trade scenarios for Mitchell this offseason should the talented scorer and playmaker decline a contract extension. Under his current contract, Mitchell can hit free agency in 2027.
If Cleveland loses to Detroit, Mitchell may not sign an extension this offseason and then he could get traded. And if Mitchell does get traded, you can bet that James Harden won't re-sign with the Cavaliers. Harden is expected to decline his player option for next season and enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
It will be fascinating to see how far the Cavaliers go in the 2026 playoffs and if Mitchell signs an extension with the Wine and Gold this offseason. Mitchell averaged 27.9 points per game this regular season. He was seventh in the NBA in points per game and sixth in total points (1,952).
Against the Raptors, Mitchell put up 23.1 points per game. He shot 43.8% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the foul line.
Game 5 of the conference semifinals is the furthest Mitchell has taken the Cavaliers since being traded to Cleveland by the Utah Jazz in 2022. That has to change this year.
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