James Harden branded ‘washed’ after viral Game 2 moment vs Detroit

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers fell 107-97 to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, leaving them trailing 2-0 in the series, and attention quickly turned towards James Harden after another difficult postseason outing in Game 2.

Harden finished with only 10 points and never looked comfortable offensively. Cleveland struggled to generate momentum during key stretches, and the veteran guard immediately became a major target for criticism across social media.

Much of the backlash centred on one sequence that spread rapidly on X after the final buzzer. Fans accused Harden of lacking aggression – and confidence – during an important possession while Cleveland attempted to stay within touching distance.

James Harden clip against Cade Cunningham goes viral

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The viral clip showed Harden isolated against Cade Cunningham in a counterattack, with a clear lane towards the basket. Instead of attacking the rim, he slowed down before losing possession to Ron Holland in the paint.

What initially looked like a promising opportunity quickly became a turnover for Cleveland. The awkward play spread rapidly online, with several supporters questioning whether Harden can still perform consistently during high-pressure playoff moments.