NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley didn’t hold back when addressing Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland’s absence in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat. Garland, sidelined with a toe injury, became the target of Barkley’s sharp critique, especially after Garland’s bold pre-series comments about Heat guard Tyler Herro.
The tension began after Garland, following the Cavaliers’ Game 2 victory, made pointed remarks about Herro’s defense.
“Pick on Tyler Herro and take care of the ball,” Garland said in a postgame interview. “Go after their weak defenders.”
Herro, known more for his offensive prowess than his defensive skills, responded diplomatically but hinted at using Garland’s words as motivation.
However, when Garland was ruled out of Game 3 due to a toe sprain, Barkley seized the opportunity to call him out during TNT’s pregame coverage.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, right?” Barkley exclaimed. “You don’t say that and then not play. Tyler Herro may not be a great defender, but he had 34 points. Don’t act like he’s a bum.”
Charles Barkley calls out Darius Garland
“You gotta be kidding me right? You don’t say that. You gotta play”
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 26, 2025
While Garland’s injury was legitimate, his absence after such bold statements left room for criticism. However, even without Garland, the Cleveland Cavaliers delivered a statement performance in Game 3, cruising to a 124-87 victory at Kaseya Center in Miami. With the win, the Cavaliers now hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, putting them one step away from advancing to the next round.
Jarrett Allen led the charge with 22 points, while De’Andre Hunter added 21 off the bench. Ty Jerome stepped up in Garland’s absence, dishing out 11 assists and orchestrating an 18-0 run that turned the tide early in the game.
The Heat struggled to find their rhythm, with Tyler Herro limited to 13 points and Bam Adebayo contributing 13 as well. Miami’s offense faltered under Cleveland’s smothering defense, and the Cavaliers outscored the Heat 60-30 in the paint while outrebounding them 46-29.
The Cavaliers’ twin towers, Allen and Evan Mobley, were instrumental in shutting down Miami’s interior offense. Mobley, fresh off his Defensive Player of the Year win, added 19 points and showcased his versatility on both ends of the floor.
As the series heads to Game 4, the Heat face the daunting task of overcoming a 3-0 deficit—a feat no team in NBA history has ever achieved. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers look poised to close out the series and continue their playoff journey.
