The internet lost its sh*t after LeBron’s teammate forgot the score
Game 1 of the NBA Finals was an instant classic. A close game throughout, the Cavaliers had the ball down by one point with time ticking down.
George Hill was fouled, sending the Cavs guard to the free throw line with 4.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Hill hit the first shot to tie the game, but missed the second.
JR Smith swooped in for the offensive rebound, making him a momentary hero, as it should have given Cleveland a glorious chance to win the game.
Just one problem. Smith thought the Cavs were winning and ran out the clock.
He could have put up a quick shot after the rebound, he could have passed to LeBron James, who had 51 points in the game. Anything but waste time.
The Cavs were heavy underdogs heading into the fourth straight meeting between these two teams in the NBA Finals.
Beating the Warriors on their home court isn’t easy, so if you get a chance to do it, you’d better take advantage of it. If the Cavs go on to lose the series, Smith’s error will go down as one of the biggest blunders in sports history.
And LeBron knew it.
Lebron to JR Smith: “WHY ARE YOU RUNNING! WHY ARE YOU RUNNING!!” pic.twitter.com/ZlCTLb0bIK
— broke boi🇨🇦 (@yvngniglet) June 1, 2018
Golden State outscored Cleveland 17-7 in overtime to win Game 1, 124-114.
Smith explained after the game that he knew the game was tied, but I don’t think anyone believes him. LeBron wasn’t keen on answering questions about it, storming out of his press conference after he was fed up with the line of questioning.
LeBron's postgame news conference came to an abrupt end. pic.twitter.com/81hrfnbK45
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 1, 2018
And the internet? Well, the internet went to work:
WHYYOULITTLE!!! pic.twitter.com/jazKkTaAjT
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 1, 2018
LeBron can recall every single possession in a 48-minute game. JR doesn't even know the score.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 1, 2018
LeBron To JR. pic.twitter.com/lOLEwoDfSa
— Chris Manning (@LD2K) June 1, 2018
I keep expecting LeBron to look at the camera, Office-style, and be like "Do you see what I'm working with?"
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 1, 2018
JR Smith when he got the rock with 4.7 seconds left pic.twitter.com/NKmSyGhGVO
— Nick Burdell (@burdman0324) June 1, 2018
Lebron: "time out"
JR Smith: pic.twitter.com/HKbLkZK6QD
— Tweets for Bros (@BroHumors) June 1, 2018
When Lebron sees JR smith in locker room pic.twitter.com/xjoxLIgKYW
— Tony Jefferson (@_tonyjefferson) June 1, 2018
The pain of being LeBron. pic.twitter.com/8lCDYNtLry
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) June 1, 2018
JR Smith talking to Lebron after the game. pic.twitter.com/c3cCNvYrWN
— DΞLU✗Ξ 4 👑 (@TheDeluxe4) June 1, 2018
LeBron waiting at JR’s locker pic.twitter.com/BLsySZiRLP
— Robert Littal (@BSO) June 1, 2018
LeBron is literally playing against:
4 All Stars
2 MVPs
3 Refs
Jordan Clarkson
JR Smith
George Hill— 2018 NBA Champions. (@LeKingJames23) June 1, 2018
In the Jordan vs Lebron debate, here's one indisputable fact… Michael Jordan never had to play with JR Smith.
— MikeBell929 (@MikeBellATL) June 1, 2018
LeBron on his phone… pic.twitter.com/5jiquRxg3v
— 9GAG (@9GAG) June 1, 2018
JR Smith: I was tryna find Kyrie
LeBron: KYRIE IN BOSTON pic.twitter.com/g9ELI5DR7F— Charlie Kaczorowski (@charliekacz) June 1, 2018
Jr smith when he sees LeBron in the locker room: pic.twitter.com/ofUSGpTXti
— Sammy❤️ (@sauccysammy_) June 1, 2018
And of course, Stephen A. Smith weighed in as only he can:
.@stephenasmith WENT IN on JR Smith. pic.twitter.com/KlZBZUQBhz
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 1, 2018
Game 2 goes Sunday in Oakland.