According to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter J.R. Smith was excused from Monday morning’s shootaround to deal with the death of his cousin.
Though his cousin passed on Saturday, A source with knowledge of the situation tells Vardon that Smith did not learn of the loss until Monday morning.
The Cavs, winners of seven straight games, are preparing to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. The source tells Vardon that Smith, now 32 years of age, is still expected to play.
In his 19 appearances for the Cavs this season, J.R. Smith, now an NBA champion (2016) and former Sixth Man of the Year award winner (2013), has turned in averages of 7.8 points on 36 percent shooting from the field, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
As most hoops fans know, the Smith family went through quite a scare earlier this year, when their daughter, Dakota, was born nearly five months premature. After a lengthy stay in the NICU, she was finally able to come home in May.
Monday night’s game between the Cavs and Sixers is slated to tip inside the Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 p.m. EST., with Fox Sports Ohio having live broadcast coverage. Let’s continue to keep the Smith family in our thoughts and prayers going forward.
