James Harden is not alone. The 2018 MVP has received plenty of criticism for his subpar performance in the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ second-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. However, Cavs’ big man Evan Mobley‘s effort in the same series is also starting to come under scrutiny.
While Harden went scoreless in the 4th quarter of Game 2, Mobley grabbed only one rebound in 36 minutes of action in that game. Looking at his other games in the current series, that was just the tip of the iceberg. Hall of Famer Paul Pierce says Evan’s numbers are mind-boggling.
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“When I watch the game, it’s either he don’t like basketball, or he don’t like playing for Cleveland,” said Pierce. “Because for the simple fact he’s an All-Star. He’s been an All-Star Defensive Player of the Year. For me to look up and see he got 36 minutes. You’re not getting the ball. Go get it. You seven feet, one rebound. That’s just no.”
One rebound in 36 minutes is not acceptable
Mobley was the Cavs’ No.2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. After finishing behind Scottie Barnes in the Rookie of the Year race, Evan emerged as a defensive force capable of scoring 20 points per game.
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Last season, Mobley earned his first All-Star selection and was named the NBA’s 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. Aside from those, Evan made the All-Defensive first team and was an All-NBA second team selection. And since he averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in 2024-25, many — including his teammates — were expecting the star big man to have something like a 20-10 with two blocks campaign this year.
However, not only did Mobley’s numbers drop during the regular season, but they also plummeted further in the postseason. In the current series against Detroit, Evan is putting up just 11.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, with The Truth particularly calling out his rebounding numbers, being 6’11”.
“Rebounding is an effort stat. Like it’s a will mindset stat. And if you don’t have the will or the mindset in the playoffs in 36 minutes to have any kind of will to get more than one rebound when you primarily play in the paint, it says so much without saying anything,” Pierce added.
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Barkley also went off on Mobley in the previous series
Paul isn’t the only one to criticize Evan, and the criticism of him isn’t just in the Pistons series. Back in the first round against the Toronto Raptors, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who once this year picked the Cavs to come out of the East, also called out Mobley for his lack of effort after their Game 4 meltdown.
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“But Mobley to me is the guy. He’s Defensive Player of the Year. He should take the challenge. And you know how I feel about Jarrett Allen? He’s one of the most talented big guys in the league. But he’s just really a nice guy. If he had a motor, he’d be one of the best players in the NBA. But this game today, I know what I’m gonna get from Donovan and James. To me, the big guys — Allen and Mobley — got to play well and going forward, if Cleveland is going to get out of the East,”he said.
In that take, Barkley criticized the Cavs for lacking a sense of urgency and their players for being relaxed and lacking the killer instinct. Still, they survived Toronto, albeit in seven games. But facing the No.1 team in the East in Detroit, Cleveland is crumbling before our eyes. Again, it’s not just Harden. It’s especially Mobley.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.