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Charles Barkley had sharp criticism of Detroit Pistons forward Jalen Duren before the team took on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their NBA Playoffs series on Wednesday night.
The “Inside the NBA” team reviewed key players for the game and who should step up. Barkley put the burden on Duren, who had eight points and two rebounds in Game 4.
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Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren reacts after letting a pass go out of bounds during the second half of Game 4 of a 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 lob dunks from Cade (Cunningham). He’s not getting that,” 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 get two rebounds. But he’s a young kid. He’s got to be in the gym, working on 12-15-foot jumpers or something. But he’s too good of a player. He’s an All-Star.”
The Pistons blew a 15-point lead and let the Cavaliers 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 heading home for Games 3 and 4.
TNT college basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament national championship game 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 scoring was not there from him. He only took five shots during the game.
Only three Pistons starters were in double figures. Cunningham led the team with 39 points. Daniss Jenkins added 19 and Tobias Harris had 13. Paul Reed contributed 10 points in 17 minutes off the bench. But that was it from the Pistons.
Cleveland got 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 and didn’t attempt a single shot, Max Strus had 20 points and made six 3-pointers and hit 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 set themselves up for a date in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks if they were to take Game 6 on Friday.
