In a brutally honest assessment that has the basketball world talking, NBA champion-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins didn't mince words when discussing James Harden's recent playoff struggles. The former MVP and current Cleveland Cavaliers guard has found himself under the microscope after a disappointing start to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Following Thursday's Game 2 loss, the Cavaliers find themselves in a daunting 0-2 hole against the Detroit Pistons. While Cleveland's defensive schemes and shooting woes have contributed to the deficit, Perkins pointed directly at Harden's performance as the primary concern.

"He should not be playing the minutes that he's playing right now. James Harden has been a liability on both ends of the floor," Perkins stated during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.

The numbers back up Perkins' claim. In Thursday's defeat, Harden managed just 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting, dished out only three assists, and committed four turnovers. Even more troubling, the 10-time All-Star has recorded more turnovers than assists through the first two games of the series.

This isn't the first time Harden has faced criticism for his postseason performance—playoff struggles have become an unfortunate recurring theme for the guard. When Cleveland acquired the future Hall of Famer in February, the hope was that pairing him with Donovan Mitchell would create a championship-caliber backcourt. Instead, the duo is facing familiar questions about their ability to advance past the second round.

For Harden, who turns 37 this summer, the stakes couldn't be higher. This season may represent his final realistic opportunity to chase that elusive NBA championship—the one accomplishment missing from his decorated resume. Head coach Kenny Atkinson expressed his displeasure with the team's performance, but the spotlight remains firmly on Harden to deliver when it matters most.

With Games 3 and 4 looming, the Cavaliers face a must-win situation. If Cleveland hopes to keep their championship aspirations alive, they'll need the version of Harden that dominated the regular season—not the one who has struggled to find his rhythm when the games matter most.