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Charles Barkley sharply criticized Detroit Pistons forward Jalen Duren before the team took on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their NBA Playoff series on Wednesday night.
The “Inside the NBA” team reviewed the key players in the game and those who need to step up. Barkley handed the responsibility to Duren, who had eight points and two rebounds in Game 4.
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Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons reacts after allowing a pass to go out of bounds during the second half of Game 4 of the second round NBA playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland on May 11, 2026. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
“His whole game is offensive rebounds and lobbed dunks from Cade (Cunningham). He doesn’t get them,” Barkley said. “So it really hurts him. Look, he should never have two rebounds, ever. That’s two more than a dead person.
“You can never have two rebounds. But he’s a young kid. He’ll go to the gym, work on 12- to 15-foot jump shots or something like that. But he’s such a good player. He’s an All-Star.”
The Pistons blew a 15-point lead and allowed the Cavaliers to come back in Game 5 on Wednesday. Cleveland would outlast Detroit in overtime, 117-113, to take a 3-2 series lead. Cleveland trailed 2-0 in the series before returning home for Games 3 and 4.
TNT college basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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Duren improved slightly from Game 4. He had nine points, five rebounds and four assists. But the score was not there on his part. He only made five shots in the game.
Only three Pistons starters were in double figures. Cunningham led the team with 39 points. Daniss Jenkins added 19 and Tobias Harris 13. Paul Reed provided 10 points in 17 minutes coming off the bench. But it was all Pistons.
Cleveland received a serious boost from James Harden. He scored 30 points with eight rebounds and six assists. Donovan Mitchell had 21 points. While starter Dean Wade didn’t score or attempt a single shot, Max Strus had 20 points, making six 3-pointers and hitting two free throws.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden drives to the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of Game 5 of the second round of the NBA playoffs in Detroit on May 13, 2026. (Duane Burleson/AP)
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The Cavaliers could lock in a date for the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks if they win Game 6 on Friday.
