The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons closed out their first-round playoff series with a winner-take-all Game 7 on May 3, 2026. The Pistons pulled away in the second half, ultimately winning 116-94 at Little Caesars Arena. As a result, Detroit advanced to the next round, marking the franchise’s first playoff series win in 18 years.
This breakdown covers every key player stat line from the game, including the standout individual performances, bench production, and how the two teams compared statistically across the board.
Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons Final Score
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7 to win the series.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando Magic | 22 | 27 | 15 | 30 | 94 |
| Detroit Pistons | 20 | 40 | 23 | 33 | 116 |
Detroit trailed after the first quarter, but the team took control with a dominant second quarter, outscoring Orlando 40-27, and never gave up the lead again. Meanwhile, Orlando’s third-quarter collapse, just 15 points on the period, effectively ended any chance of a comeback.
Game Recap: How the Match Unfolded
Orlando actually led after the first quarter, 22-20, behind an early scoring burst from Paolo Banchero. However, Detroit responded in the second quarter, closing the half on a 9-2 run fueled by Tobias Harris to take a 60-49 lead into the break.
The turning point came early in the third quarter. The Pistons opened with an 11-2 run to push the lead to 71-51, with Cade Cunningham and Harris combining for nine of those points. Meanwhile, Orlando managed just 15 points in the third quarter overall. This marked the third time in the final five periods of the series that Orlando failed to reach 20 points in a quarter. Then, a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Daniss Jenkins gave Detroit an 83-64 cushion heading into the fourth. From there, Orlando never seriously threatened down the stretch.
Overall, Detroit became the 15th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, rallying from down 3-1 to win the final three games and take the series in seven.
Orlando Magic Player Stats
Paolo Banchero carried the offensive load for Orlando all night, finishing with a game-high 38 points to go with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. He was Orlando’s only consistent scoring threat for much of the series after Franz Wagner went down with an injury in Game 4, and Game 7 was no exception.
Additionally, Desmond Bane was the clear second option, reaching double figures and contributing from beyond the arc, while Wendell Carter Jr. and Jalen Suggs rounded out meaningful production from the starting group. Overall, the Magic shot 41.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range, going 10-of-30 on threes for the game.
Top Performer for the Magic
Banchero’s 38-point night stands as one of the best individual playoff performances of the series for either team. He was efficient in stretches and aggressive attacking the basket throughout. However, the lack of a second reliable scorer made it difficult for Orlando to sustain runs against Detroit’s defense.
Orlando Magic Bench Stats
Orlando got a spark off the bench from Jamal Cain and Anthony Black, both of whom hit timely shots to keep the Magic competitive in stretches. Still, the bench group’s combined scoring contribution wasn’t enough to offset Detroit’s depth advantage as the game wore on.
Detroit Pistons Player Stats
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 32 points and 12 assists, continuing a dominant stretch that saw him average 32.4 points across the final games of the series. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris was right behind him with 30 points, marking the first time two Pistons teammates scored 30 or more points in the same playoff game since 1977.
In addition, Jalen Duren delivered his first double-double of the series, finishing with 15 points and 15 rebounds after being outplayed on the boards for much of the earlier games. Daniss Jenkins also added a strong all-around performance off the bench, hitting multiple threes at key moments, including a buzzer-beater to close the third quarter. As a team, the Pistons shot 51.3 percent from the field and an efficient 48.5 percent from three-point range.
Top Performer for the Pistons
Cunningham’s stat line of 32 points and 12 assists reflected his role as Detroit’s primary engine throughout the series. Combined with Harris’s 30-point outburst, the two gave Detroit a scoring punch that Orlando simply couldn’t match once Banchero’s supporting cast went cold.
Detroit Pistons Bench Stats
Detroit’s bench made a real difference in Game 7, led by Daniss Jenkins’s scoring and playmaking. In addition, Duncan Robinson chipped in with perimeter shooting, while Ausar Thompson provided energy and defense that helped extend Detroit’s lead in the middle quarters.
Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | Orlando Magic | Detroit Pistons |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | 31-75 (41.3%) | 41-80 (51.3%) |
| 3-Pointers | 10-30 (33.3%) | 16-33 (48.5%) |
| Free Throws | 22-30 (73.3%) | 18-22 (81.8%) |
| Total Rebounds | 46 | 51 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 9 | 11 |
| Assists | 18 | 30 |
| Steals | 11 | 9 |
| Blocks | 7 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 13 |
| Personal Fouls | 21 | 21 |
Overall, Detroit’s shooting efficiency told the story of the game. The Pistons shot 10 percentage points better from the field and nearly 15 points better from three. In addition, their 30 assists compared to Orlando’s 18 showed a far more balanced, ball-movement-driven offense. Detroit also won the rebounding battle 51-46, giving them extra scoring chances throughout the game.
Key Takeaways From the Match
This result eliminated Orlando from the playoffs and sent Detroit through to face the winner of the Cleveland-Toronto series, with Game 1 of the next round set for that Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena. For the Pistons, the win capped a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit and represented their first playoff series victory in nearly two decades.
For Orlando, meanwhile, the series ultimately came down to a lack of secondary scoring. Banchero was outstanding across all seven games, but the Magic needed more consistent production from the rest of the roster, particularly after Franz Wagner’s injury limited their depth. In contrast, Detroit’s balanced scoring, led by Cunningham and Harris, along with Duren’s rebounding presence in the finale, proved to be the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Detroit Pistons won 116-94, taking Game 7 to win the first-round playoff series.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 32 points and 12 assists, with Tobias Harris close behind at 30 points.
The final score was Pistons 116, Magic 94.
Detroit advances to face the winner of the Cavaliers-Raptors series, with Game 1 scheduled for that Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Game 7 came down to depth and efficiency. Paolo Banchero’s 38-point effort kept Orlando in the fight for stretches. However, Cade Cunningham’s 32 points and 12 assists, paired with Tobias Harris’s 30-point performance and Jalen Duren’s double-double on the boards, gave Detroit the balance Orlando couldn’t match. In the end, the Pistons’ superior shooting and ball movement decided the series, sending Detroit through to the next round with momentum after a historic comeback from down 3-1.
