The league has responded. During those last minutes of game three against the Boston Celtics, where Smith hit Terry in the face, the NBA has decided to suspended Smith for one game for his actions.
The Knicks will play the Celtics during game four of their first round series. Though the Knicks have a 3-0 game lead over the Celtics, if they plan to sweep them they’ll have to finish the Celtics off without sixth man of the year, J.R. Smith. While it seems like a negative getting suspended, on the bright side Smith will be able to gain some extra rest before his team goes on to bout the winner of the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers series in the second round.
Smith received a flagrant two foul and was automatically ejected. After the league re-evaluated his actions, they determined his elbow-to-the-face was malicious and clearly intentional therefore suspending him.
While some may consider this a big blow to the Knicks losing the sixth man of the year, it shouldn’t be as the Knicks will mostly likely sweep the Celtics and win the series. That is unless Jeff Green dominates and scores 50+ points every game until game seven, (if applicable) and brings Boston to the second round, but that seems highly unlikely. Nonetheless at the end of the day anything is possible so don’t count out the Celtics yet. It’s not over until it’s over.