If there's one thing that gets under Tony Kornheiser's skin, it's a lackluster postseason. And the veteran ESPN host isn't holding back his frustration with the 2026 NBA playoffs, which he says have been a letdown from start to finish.
During Monday's edition of Pardon the Interruption, Kornheiser unloaded on the state of the playoffs after watching the Cleveland Cavaliers steamroll the Detroit Pistons 125-94 to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. For him, that game was just the latest example of a troubling trend: too many routs, not enough nail-biters.
"I am very disappointed in the playoffs; it's like 75% of the games are routs," Kornheiser said. "Cleveland was up by 26 points going into the fourth quarter… I'm struggling to remember two games in a row that were close, that had drama."
Kornheiser pointed a finger squarely at the three-point shot, arguing that it gives the hotter-shooting team an insurmountable scoring edge early on. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, he says, the outcome is already decided, and fans are left flipping channels. That's a problem for the NBA, which thrives on postseason buzz.
"You want drama in the playoffs, so it's not working for me," he added. "Am I awed sometimes by the runs they go on? But when you get to the fourth quarter, and you can switch to another sport, that's not the way it's supposed to happen."
Kornheiser's co-host, Michael Wilbon, wasn't as quick to sound the alarm. He finds the blowouts "an interesting study" even if they lack the usual drama. "It's fascinating even if it's not dramatic," Wilbon said. But Kornheiser pushed back, insisting that the NBA can't afford to have fans tuning out in the final frame.
The debate has sparked a range of reactions from NBA fans. Some agree with Kornheiser that the three-point shot and free throws are ruining the flow of games. Others point to injuries to star players as a key factor. And a third camp believes that big comebacks are more possible than ever, so the drama might still be lurking.
For now, Kornheiser remains unimpressed. His critique echoes broader concerns about how the game is evolving, and whether the NBA's product is losing its edge when it matters most. As the playoffs grind on, the question lingers: are we witnessing a crisis of competitiveness, or just a temporary lull?
