J.R. Smith Won't Be Apologizing to Celtics Player He Punched: "He Can Hold His Breath for It"

J.R. Smith explains why he won't apologize to Jae Crowder for punching him last season

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In Game 4 of last season's playoff series between the Celtics and the Cavaliers, J.R. Smith was ejected for decking Boston's Jae Crowderwith a closed-fisted punch to the face.

There was some pushing and shoving as the two were battling for position on a rebound, and Smith swung wildly behind him and connected, causing Crowder to crumble to the court and suffer a sprained knee injury in the process.

The teams met for the first time since the incident on Tuesday, and while Crowder was holding out hope for an apology, Smith explained afterward why it wasn't likely to come anytime soon.

"Yeah, he might want to wait on that," Smith told reporters. "He can hold his breath for it though, I'll give it to him sooner or later."

When asked specifically why not, Smith said it was because he didn't do it on purpose.

"Why not? Because it wasn't intentional how they're trying to make it seem," Smith said. "If you play chippy, chippy things are going to happen. So, that's fine. It is what it is. I mean, It's pretty ballsy though to ask for an apology from another man. I respect it."

J.R. is the best.

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