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The Spurs were without the majority of their starting unit for this game, which allowed Castle to step up on the offensive end. The rookie has had his ups and downs during the preseason, which will likely continue during the regular season, which will start next week. Castle is an intriguing upside play in the later rounds, but most of his fantasy value will be found in dynasty leagues. Still, managers have to be happy with what they’ve seen from him so far regardless of league format.

Having performed admirably throughout the postseason, Harris appeared to run out of gas in the second round. After scoring 20 points or more in each of the first three games, the veteran forward totaled 40 points in Games 4 through 7. On Sunday, Harris failed to make a shot from the field, prompting some to flash back to his final game as a 76er, when he went scoreless in Game 6 loss to the Knicks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. In recent years, Harris has exceeded expectations in fantasy basketball. Whether he does the same in 2026-27 depends on where he’ll be, as Harris will be an unrestricted free agent.

Sunday’s defeat was the painful conclusion to Duren’s disappointing playoff run. While active on the boards, the Pistons’ center did not offer much value in Game 7. After averaging 19.5 points per game during the regular season, that number dropped to 10.2 in the playoffs. And with Duren hitting restricted free agency next month, the question is how these playoffs will affect his market. From a fantasy standpoint, Duren has top-50 potential, and he can be even more valuable to managers willing to punt free-throw percentage.

Efficiency was an issue for Cunningham throughout the Cleveland series, but he had his worst showing in Game 7. While the Pistons’ point guard committed a respectable three turnovers, he was 0-of-7 from beyond the arc. Given Detroit’s limitations on offense, they can’t afford for Cunningham not to be at his best when the lights shine brightest. However, the end should not take away from Cade’s play throughout the season. A likely All-NBA selection, he offers first-round fantasy value in formats that either don’t count or punt turnovers.

Cleveland’s starting bigs were dominant in Game 7. Mobley recorded a double-double as part of a complete stat line, with Jarrett Allen going for 23 points and seven rebounds. Mobley scored at least 17 points in each of the final four games of the series, with Cleveland winning three. The Cavaliers will look to him for similar production against the Knicks in the conference finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night.

Mitchell and the Cavaliers are headed to the conference finals for the first time since 2018 after a dominant showing in Game 7. He rebounded from a poor Game 6, not only as a scorer but as a playmaker. After recording three assists on Friday, Mitchell was responsible for eight in Game 7 while committing three turnovers. He and the other Cavaliers were able to get into the paint early and often, which opened up everything offensively for them. Game 1 of the conference finals is on Tuesday in New York.

Usually, James Harden (nine points, five rebounds and six assists) shooting 2-of-10 from the field would spell doom for his team. That wasn’t the case on Sunday, with Merrill’s performance among the reasons why. Shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, Merrill was one of four Cavaliers to finish the 125-94 rout with at least 20 points. Max Strus (9/2/2/3 with one three-pointer) was the fifth starter on Sunday, replacing Dean Wade, but there’s room for Merrill to step up as well. Cleveland visits New York on Tuesday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

As he did in Cleveland’s first-round series against Toronto, Allen saved his best for last as the Cavs earned their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2018. The Cavaliers’ starting center thoroughly outplayed Jalen Duren, and his stat line lacked only a three-pointer. In the Game 7 win over Toronto in the first round, Allen put up 22 points, 19 rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Things won’t get easier for Allen and the Cavaliers, as they visit the Knicks in Game 1 of the conference finals on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers have changed their starting lineup for Game 7, with Strus replacing Dean Wade. Strus offers a higher offensive ceiling, and he can also take on the task of defending Cade Cunningham. The other four starters are unchanged.

Huerter was available for Game 6 but did not play after aggravating his strained adductor during Game 5. Given the lack of playing time, his role is likely to be limited for Game 7.