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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up before a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 01, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a tough start in the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

In Game 1, the Cavs paid a visit to the Detroit Pistons and suffered a 111-101 loss.

After the game, Cleveland stars James Harden and Donovan Mitchell made it clear that turnovers were the key reason why the Cavaliers couldn’t come out on top.

“You know, for me, I got to be better. I will be better turning the baksetball over. From turning the basketball over and getting shots up, and then it gives our defense a chance to get back and get set,” Harden said following Game 1. “Other than that, I think we played a pretty solid game.”

The Cavaliers turned the ball over 19 times against the Pistons. Harden was responsible for seven of them. Dennis Schroder turned it over four times, while Donovan Mitchell finished with three. Nobody else had more than one.

Kendrick Perkins Makes A Bold Suggestion

GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to a game against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

As the Harden turnover woes, mixed with defensive struggles, affected the Cavaliers’ chances of going up 1-0 in round two, the former NBA Champion, Kendrick Perkins, made a bold suggestion: have James Harden come off the bench.

“Put him on the bench!” Perkins said on ESPN.

“It’s enough with sticking with him, right? We’re going to come with facts over feelings. The fact of the matter is that he’s turning the ball over, and he’s still not that great defensively. That closing lineup that they had, especially in the backcourt around the perimeter, wasn’t going to cut it! … You need perimeter defense. If I’m Kenny Atkinson, I’m not going into Game 2 with that level of tolerance for James Harden.”

The Cavaliers Need To Bounce Back

GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 13: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks backcourt during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Benching Harden after one game in the series might be a far-fetched scenario, but that doesn’t mean Harden will be able to get away with his struggles on both sides of the ball.

The Cavaliers are relying heavily on their star-studded backcourt to take care of business against a young Detroit team, but the Eastern Conference’s top seed found its rhythm against the Cavs on Tuesday night.

As long as Harden can minimize the turnovers, Cleveland should be in better shape to win. Soon, we’ll see if the star guard is able to make the proper adjustments, giving Atkinson a reason not to even think about what Perkins suggested.