Former Cleveland Cavs All-Star LeBron James still isn’t over JR Smith’s infamous mistake in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Ahead of a recent Cavs 2016 championship team reunion this summer, Smith revisited his blunder: with the game tied at 107 and 4.7 seconds left, he had an opportunity to convert a game-winning layup off a rebound but dribbled the ball out instead. Cleveland is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its 2016 title.
The Cavs would go on to lose Game 1 124-114 in overtime. Smith defended his mistake, stating he figured the Cavs would call a timeout. While most believe Smith was under the impression that Cleveland was ahead, that wasn’t the case, he said, per The Pivot Podcast.
“I got the rebound. I’m thinking we’re going to call a timeout because at that point the game is possessional,” Smith said. “I’m thinking, okay, bet. We’re not about to rush. We’re going to get the best shot possible. Any other time, you get the rebound, call a timeout, get it to your best player, and let them make the play.”
For Smith, scoring the game-winning shot didn’t even cross his mind.
“I didn’t hear no whistle. So I’m like, alright, s***, I’m going to take this b**** to the corner. Let me get some space. KD’s seven foot. I ain’t about to shoot over this dude when he right here, you tripp’n,” Smith said. “Let me get to the corner. Nobody still say nothing. I’m like, ‘Alright, bet.’ It looked like they were trying to deny LeBron. So I’m dribbling it out to get the ball to LeBron.”
“Like, bro, if I shoot this s***, they’re going to be mad as f***. You shoot this shit they going to be like, ‘Well, we going to live and die with that’”
Smith’s mistake left LeBron James beside himself, as the Cavs had a golden opportunity to take Game 1 against the Warriors.
“He was hot. He was confused because he didn’t understand what is happening,” Smith added. “And I’m literally looking at him like, Bro, this is your job. That’s why you get the big bucks. They don’t pay me enough for this s***.”
J. R. Smith says LeBron is still mad about the 2018 NBA Finals play
“I got the rebound. I'm thinking we're going to call a timeout because at that point the game is possessional”
“I'm thinking, okay, bet. We're not about to rush. We're going to get the best shot possible. Any… pic.twitter.com/cltATalHns
— dank (@cptdankkk) June 16, 2026
The Warriors would go on to sweep JR Smith, LeBron James, and the Cavs, 4-0. Then, James agreed to a four-year, $154 million deal with the Lakers in July of 2018.