From Celebration to Concern

J.R. Smith, the former Knicks forward, experienced quite a fall during a chaotic scene following a postgame celebration outside Madison Square Garden. This occurred after the Knicks secured a convincing 137-98 victory over the 76ers in Game 1. The NBA folk hero urged everyone to “relax, relax” amidst the excitement.

Having played for the Knicks from 2011 to 2015, Smith is a familiar face at the Garden, often returning to watch key games. After this notable win, he joined the crowd outside, enjoying a roll and flashing a smile as the Knicks embarked on the second round of the series.

Typically, postgame celebrations can get wild, whether it’s a win or a loss, and fans quickly crowded around Smith as he joined the throng of enthusiastic supporters.

Things took a turn, however, when Smith, along with others, suddenly found themselves on the ground, forcing them to regain their footing several moments later.

A video shared on social media seemed to capture the moment just before the tumble, showing the crowd surging toward Smith from behind, causing him to fall forward.

Surprisingly, the 40-year-old didn’t seem to brace himself during the incident.

Footage showed him afterward, holding out his right hand and asking fans to calm down, looking visibly upset after being slammed to the curb. This was quite a contrast to the earlier celebratory atmosphere.

It’s worth noting that not every former Knick might feel inclined to engage with fans after witnessing how things unfolded for Smith; such an experience could certainly give others pause before diving into a crowd.

Fans will be looking forward to the next opportunity for celebration on Wednesday night, as the third-seeded Knicks aim to extend their series lead over the seventh-seeded 76ers.

In Game 1, only two days after the 76ers completed a comeback against the Celtics, the Knicks seized the opportunity to dominate a weary Philadelphia squad.