J.R. Smith Ejected Against Celtics; Suspension Possible

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith was called for a flagrant foul 2 for striking the Celtics’ Jae Crowder in the face and subsequently ejected with 10 minutes, 27 seconds left to play in the third quarter of Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Smith said Crowder initiated the confrontation when he “kept pushing, pushing, pushing” him in the back under the basket. He said Crowder’s part should be something the league considers when and if it decides to dole out any suspensions.

“I’ve been in this situation before in the playoffs, and it’s not a good feeling to go into a new team, new situation feeling like you’re coming on the up-and-up and to be quote-unquote back in this situation again is nothing I want to happen,” Smith said. “And unfortunately, my team is going to pay for it more than anything.”

via Dave McMenamin of ESPN