BOSTON — J.R. Smith’s status for the start of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ second-round playoff series is in question after he was ejected in Sunday’s Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics.
Smith and Celtics guard Jae Crowder were battling underneath the basket and Smith swung his arm and hit Crowder’s face. The referees reviewed the incident on replay and determined it was a flagrant 2 foul, which results in an automatic ejection.
Smith said he didn’t try to hurt Crowder, who left the game with a knee injury and didn’t return.
“He was cutting into the lane after the shot had been shot, I tried to box him out,” Smith said.