The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled through with a dominant Game 7 win against the Detroit Pistons to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. You never know who might show up in a Game 7, and though Donovan Mitchell led the way with 26 points for the Cavs, it was their frontcourt that also dominated.
Jarrett Allen had a big game, as he finished with 23 points and seven rebounds. After the game, Kenny Atkinson noted that Dan Gilbert told him that Allen was going to be the key to them winning.
“I had dinner with Dan Gilbert last night,” Atkinson said. “He goes, ‘You know who the key to this whole thing is. The spark to this is Jarrett Allen.’ I said ‘Really?’
Kenny Atkinson on Dan Gilbert's faith in Jarrett Allen:
"I had dinner with Dan GIlbert last night. He goes "you know who the key to this whole thing is. The spark to this is Jarrett Allen". I said "really?" …
That was great by Dan. He hit is on the head. He was prophetic." pic.twitter.com/FnBGwfwyiK
— Fear the 'Fro: A Cleveland Cavs Podcast (@FeartheFroPod) May 18, 2026
Atkinson said that made him think about running the first play for Allen in the game, but it also made him think about if he had been overlooking Allen this entire time. He trusted Gilbert’s take, and Allen turned out to be a key piece for the Cavs when they needed him the most.
“That was great by Dan. He hit it on the head. He was prophetic,” Atkinson said.
Allen is the longest-tenured Cavs player, and he’s seen a lot through his time with the team. Now, he’ll have the chance to advance to the NBA Finals, but first, they have to get through the New York Knicks, who have played some of the best basketball in the postseason.
It also won’t be easy for Allen as he goes up against Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt, and they’ve dominated throughout the postseason.
It should be a good test for the Cavs, and they’ve shown throughout the playoffs that they’re resilient, getting through two Game 7s.