Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith reportedly is facing a $2.5 million lawsuit stemming from an alleged altercation outside of a New York nightclub this past November.
A man named Justin Brown, who was 19 at the time, alleges Smith “choked and struck him in his head and neck area” outside 1 Oak nightclub after he asked the former New York Knick to take a photo with him, according to documents obtained by ESPN.com.
Per the documents, Smith denied the request, and Brown shouted “that’s why you got kicked out of New York.”
Brown reportedly filed the suit Thursday, citing “physical injuries and emotional distress.”
Smith, who was not arrested and never faced charges, declined comment when asked about the incident after the Cavs’ win over the Knicks on Saturday night.
“No, I ain’t got no comment on that,” Smith said, via ESPN.com. “It is what it is. So, we’ll just see what happens.”
Smith’s attorney, Alex Spiro, also offered a strong denial.
“If they have the audacity to file a frivolous claim against J.R., we will counterclaim for defamation and defend the suit aggressively,” Spiro said, via ESPN.com. “This was a cash grab from the start.”
Smith was traded from New York to Cleveland midway through last season. He’s appeared in 69 games for the Cavs this season, averaging 12.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
