Charles Barkley issued an apology on Wednesday concerning a forecast he made for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
The broadcast team for NBA on ESPN, consisting of Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, offered their insights before and after Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round matchup featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.
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Before Wednesday’s game, the series was tied 2-2, with Toronto having secured the previous two victories on their home court. Cleveland then clinched a 125-120 win at Rocket Arena to break the deadlock.
Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers’ effort, contributing 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, along with nine rebounds and three blocks. James Harden also scored 23 points, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out five assists. Both Donovan Mitchell and Dennis Schroder each put up 19 points.
Even with Cleveland’s victory, Barkley voiced his doubts regarding the team during the halftime broadcast.
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Donovan Mitchell (45), guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Barkley had previously predicted the Cavaliers would emerge from the Eastern Conference to compete in the NBA Finals. However, the legendary broadcaster and Hall of Famer has since changed his opinion, citing Cleveland’s difficulties in the initial round.
At halftime, Toronto held a lead over Cleveland, 74-67. It appeared the Cavaliers were headed for a third consecutive loss.
During the halftime break, Barkley offered an apology to the nation for his support of the Cavaliers.
“Toronto delivered an impressive first half, with excellent ball movement and incredible defense,” he stated. “Honestly, I need to apologize for selecting the Cavs to reach the Finals.”
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Barkley then reiterated his stance.
He continued, “No team can contend for a championship with performances like they’ve shown in the last three games. They’ve had two and a half consecutive poor showings. It’s as if they don’t value ball possession.”
“You simply can’t achieve victory with players who lack consistency. As Shaq and Kenny understand, a strong team operates with a clear sense of urgency. This Cavaliers team, however, displays no such urgency. … I’ve been deceived, misled, and utterly misguided.”
Throughout the series, Harden’s propensity for turnovers has been a significant issue. The player acquired mid-season had already accumulated 24 turnovers in the initial four games leading into Game 5. Mitchell’s struggles with shooting also persisted, as he made only 7 of 17 field goal attempts in Game 5.
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Cleveland mounted a comeback in the second half, securing a narrow victory. The Cavaliers now hold a 3-2 series advantage, needing just one more win to advance to the next round. However, for Barkley, a single victory might not suffice to alter his opinion.
Further Reading: NBA Reveals Seven Errors in Cavaliers’ Defeat to Raptors
This article initially appeared on Athlon Sports on April 30, 2026, and was first published within their NBA section. To designate Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source, click here.