NBA News: J.R Smith, Kelly Olynyk Suspended After Cavaliers-Celtics Clash
Both players were involved in separate clashes in game four of the Cleveland-Boston series.
J.R Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics were both punished for two separate incidents that occurred in Game 4 of the first round playoff series between the two teams on Sunday. Cleveland swept Boston, 4-0 in the best-of-seven series.
The Celtics played a physical game to match up against the Cavaliers and Kelly Olynyk ended up injuring Kevin Love as a result. Both forwards were contesting a loose ball when Olynyk seemed to pull Love’s left arm away from the ball. Love appeared to be in pain and left the court immediately clutching his arm while Olynyk was called for a loose ball foul.
The Celtics’ Jae Crowder was then involved in two separate incidents. First, on a hard screen by Kendrick Perkins saw him knocked down to the floor. Perkins was given a flagrant 1 foul by match officials at the time. J.R Smith then backhanded Crowded at the start of the third quarter and was assessed a flagrant 2 foul and immediately ejected.
Upon review, the league authorities ruled that Kelly Olynyk would be suspended without pay for the next game he is eligible to play. Love, meanwhile, will miss the entire Eastern Conference semi-finals series with a dislocated shoulder.
Former Celtic Kendrick Perkins was issued a $15,000 fine and the flagrant 1 foul he was charged with upgraded to a flagrant 2 foul. J.R Smith has history with the Celtics, having also been ejected in a playoff match against the C’s back in 2012 when he was with the New York Knicks. His foul in game four this time around has earned him a two game suspension without pay.
The Cavs will thus be two of their key players in the next round, likely to be against the Chicago Bulls, who lead their first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks 3-2. The Cavs-Bulls clash will begin on May 4.
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