Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith was suspended for last night’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers because of what was termed by the team as detrimental conduct. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Brian Windhorst and Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon, the reason for the suspension was because of his actions toward an assistant coach.
Per ESPN, Smith received the suspension for throwing a bowl of soup at assistant coach Damon Jones:
Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith earned his one-game suspension from the team Thursday by throwing a bowl of soup at assistant coach Damon Jones, multiple sources with knowledge of the incident told ESPN.
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Jones, a former Cavs player, has been back with Cleveland since 2014 and worked his way up from an assistant coach with the Canton Charge, the Cavs’ G League affiliate, to the Cavs where he is a trusted voice for head coach Tyronn Lue.
Smith will return to practice Friday, according to Lue, and resume his starting shooting guard spot Saturday when the Cavs host the Denver Nuggets.
And here’s more on the incident from Cleveland.com’s story:
The soup tossing occurred following the team’s shootaround.
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Smith, by the way, declined to speak to reporters Friday and said he’s talk at shootaround Saturday before the Cavs play the Denver Nuggets.
Shortly after the Cavs announced Smith’s suspension Thursday, it was clear Smith was involved in some kind of altercation (or something similar) inside the team, but the Cavs neither publicly nor privately would say what happened.
One source told cleveland.com it wasn’t an all-out altercation. Not sure where soup tossing ranks.
Before last night’s game, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue gave no further specifics about the punishment. Smith served the penalty during the Cavs’ 108-97 loss to the Sixers.
Smith attended Thursday’s morning shootaround, but the team did not announce his suspension until two hours before tip-off.
“He was great this morning,” said Lue, who started Rodney Hood in Smith’s place. “Something happened after shootaround, so, that’s all the details I’m going to give to you. He’ll be ready for tomorrow and be ready to go on Saturday (against Denver).”
Hood finished with 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting, five rebounds and five assists
Smith has started 56 games, averaging 8.3 points, and is shooting 36 percent on 3-pointers.
The 14-year veteran has struggled much of this season, but he had been playing better lately. Smith sat out the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s win over Brooklyn.
Smith was acquired in 2014 in a trade with the New York Knicks and has been a key contributor during Cleveland’s run of three straight NBA Finals.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
