How James Harden and the Cavs Keep Failing in the Clutch
Harden shot 3-of-13 and the Cavaliers fell behind 0-2 after Detroit limited him to 10 points in Game 2.
- On Thursday, May 7, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-97, extending their series lead to 2-0 as James Harden managed only 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.
- Thursday's loss marked the 20th playoff game of Harden's career finishing with 25% shooting or worse on at least 10 attempts, tying Hall of Famer Bob Cousy for the most such games in the shot-clock era since 1954-55.
- Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson accepted blame for the defeat but noted the team "can't have our Hall of Famer taking two shots in the second half," highlighting offensive stagnation.
- Harden, who committed 47 turnovers across nine postseason games, acknowledged his struggles after Game 2, stating "I got to be better" regarding his ball handling and decision-making.
- The Cavaliers host the Pistons for Game 3 on Saturday, May 9, needing a quick reset to avoid an 0-3 series deficit; history suggests such comebacks are extremely rare.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Associated Press News
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James Harden Makes Bad NBA History in Cavs-Pistons Game 2
James Harden is having a hard time shaking his personal playoff narrative. During the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Harden has struggled to make a positive impact through two games against the Detroit Pistons. With turnover woes, shooting struggles, and a lack of positive defense, Harden hasnât helped his team enough to avoid a 0-2 hole. After Game 1, Harden acknowledged his struggles publicly. He was sure that the issues from Game 1 …
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