The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers get their second-round series started Tuesday, May 5, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series in the 2026 NBA playoffs begins with Game 1 of Pistons vs. Cavs with a start time of 7 p.m. ET.
The Cavs-Pistons stream is on Peacock and the TV channel is NBCSN, which is available to subscribers of Xfinity or YouTube TV.
This series is filled with intrigue, from a Midwest city rivalry perspective to trash talk from an anonymous Cavaliers player after a game in early March to the tasty individual matchups. It’s headlined by star power: Cade Cunningham, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren.
Watch Pistons-Cavs on Peacock
And don’t forget, the Cavs fired coach J.B. Bickerstaff after losing to eventual champion Boston in the second round of the 2024 playoffs. Bickerstaff took the Pistons job and just got a contract extension Monday after the Pistons won a playoff series for the first time since 2008.
Follow Cavs vs. Pistons live updates from the game below:
Pistons Cavs Game 1 updates
This section will be updated.
Kevin Huerter ruled out with injury
Huerter, one of the Pistons’ top two wings off the bench, will miss his fourth straight playoff game with a left adductor strain (inner thigh/groin area). It is a common soft tissue injury for athletes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
J.B. Bickerstaff terse about relationship with Cavs after firing
Bickerstaff, fired after the 2024 season following four-plus seasons (170-159) as Cavaliers coach, replied “yes” to a question about if his experience with Cleveland’s players helps with game planning. Said “No, we don’t do that here,” when asked if his personal emotions will factor into the series.
Bickerstaff, 47, has led the Pistons to back-to-back playoff berths for the first time since 2008-09, and received a contract extension Monday.
Kevin Huerter still listed as questionable
Will the Pistons have their big trade deadline addition back for Game 1 vs. the Cavs? It remains to be seen. Huerter is still listed as questionable with less than two hours to go until tipoff.
Huerter played just over two minutes in Game 4 vs. the Magic and then missed the next three games with a left abductor strain. The Pistons of course would like to have him available, but are comfortable playing without him, as his role has been shifted since they got him in February.
What time is Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 1 in NBA playoffs?
Here’s when the Pistons vs. Cavs Game 1 is for the second-round series:
Pistons vs Cavaliers channel in Game 1
Game 1 of the second round for the Pistons and Cavs will take place on Tuesday, May 5. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be on the TV channel NBCSN, which is available to Xfinity customers and YouTube TV subscribers.
Where to stream Pistons Cavs Game 1
Cavs vs. Pistons streaming is available on Peacock.
Pistons injury report vs Cavs in Game 1
Updates from the official NBA injury report.
Cavaliers injury report vs Pistons in Game 1
Pistons vs Cavs starting lineups today
Here’s the projected starting lineups for Game 1 of Cavaliers vs. Pistons.
Pistons tickets vs Cavs
Tickets for Game 1 of Cavaliers vs. Pistons on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit are going on StubHub for as low as $62, with no extra fees.
Get Pistons vs Cavs playoff tickets
Pistons vs Cavaliers odds for Game 1
The Pistons are the favorite against the Cavs for Game 1 at home, but it’s much closer than the spread was for Game 7 against the Magic.
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Tuesday afternoon.
Pistons vs Cavaliers schedule in NBA playoffs
*If necessary.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons vs Cavaliers updates, Game 1 channel, where to stream, time
Reporting by Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
