J.R. Smith is getting called out by Rihanna for partying too hard and focusing on basketball too little.
The New York Knicks sharpshooter, who has played inconsistently in the 2013 NBA playoffs, is apparently clubbing a bit too much for the liking of the 25-year-old singer. Rihanna seemed to rip Smith in an exchange in Instagram a few hours before the Knicks must-win Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers.
Rihanna said J.R. Smith was struggling due to being “hungover from clubbing every night during the playoffs.”
The comment didn’t appear on Rihanna’s account but a screengrab of alleged exchange was captured here.
J.R. Smith and Rihanna have been close in the past. They were spotted clubbing together recently, and apparently have had an ongoing relationship. Back in May 2012, In Touch reported that the “two were spotted getting cozy” at a club in New York City.
J.R. Smith has been one of the major causes of the Knicks’ struggles — or so he says. Though they came into the playoffs expecting to challenge the Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference crown, the Knicks struggled against the Pacers, falling into a 3-1 hole.
“I take the blame for this whole series,” Smith said . “It started off with Game 4 in Boston or Game 5. I haven’t been playing myself. I haven’t been playing my part. I’ve been letting my teammates down. I’ve just been letting my coaches down.”
Smith got into some trouble in the Celtics series. He was suspended for Game 4 after nailing Jason Terry with an elbow, an absence that helped the Celtics win the game and pull back into the series.
The Knicks guard said that going forward, his focus will be on the court.
“I’m not worried about Instagram,” Smith said after the game, via The New York Daily News . “I’m worried about the playoffs.”
For J.R. Smith, that probably means no more clubbing with Rihanna.
