Emotional J.R. Smith plays 1 day after cousin's death
J.R. Smith played through a different type of pain on Monday night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard suited up against the Philadelphia 76ers just one day after his cousin died in a reported house fire.
Smith, 32, was excused from shootaround and almost didn't play because he was overcome with emotion in the locker room before the game, a source told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
The former Sixth Man of the Year notched 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from deep, to go along with three rebounds and an assist in the 113-91 victory.
LeBron James offered words of encouragement and praise afterward.
"His family member would have wanted him to play tonight," he told reporters.
"It's very unfortunate what happened. The kid is in a better place now, and I guarantee he was looking down on J.R., giving him all the lift and all the strength to come out with his brothers and play tonight. So I commend him."
Smith wouldn't speak on his personal matter following the game, but on Tuesday he posted this tribute on Instagram: