Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith received a one game-suspension after he reportedly threw a bowl of soup at assistant coach Damon Jones following Thursday’s shootaround. The soup throwing incident happened prior to the Philadelphia 76ers vs Cavaliers game at the Quicken Loans Arena.
Smith, 32, has a reputation for exploding whenever Cavs Coach Tyronn Lue starts another player and benches him. Smith reportedly learned Coach Lue was planning to start newcomer Rodney Hill instead of him for Thursday’s game.
Jones, a former Cavaliers player, was hit by soup after exchanging words with Smith, according to a Cavs staffer who witnessed the incident.
Lue told reporters Smith was assessed a one-game suspension and he would return to the starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets at home.
The 6 ft 6 in shooting guard reportedly fought with former Cavs guard Dwyane Wade, who started a game instead of Smith. Wade took a leave of absence from the team shortly after the incident. Wade was later traded to the Miami Heat.
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