How Game 7 served as a full-circle moment for Pistons' Daniss Jenkins

Detroit — As the final buzzer sounded inside Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night, it marked the end of the Detroit Pistons' 2025-26 season. The Pistons, who had won 60 games in the regular season, fell short of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, following a 125-94 Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals. As players began to show respect for one another, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell approached Daniss Jenkins.

The two guards stood near half-court and engaged in a lengthy conversation. For Mitchell, it was his way of showing respect to a former college prospect he first met during an open gym session at Iona University. For Jenkins, it was a latest testament to his journey , from an unran ked prospect at Hillcrest High School to a sensation with the Pistons .

"He (Mitchell) was just telling me that he was proud of me and to keep going," Jenkins said. "He was telling me how I put a lot of people on notice, but this was just the beginning. Cade (Cunningham) was telling me the same.

I was just scratching the surface this year. So, to hear that from guys of that nature, I know I am doing the right thing. " During the opening gym session, Jenkins and Mitchell faced off.