J.R. Smith left basket wide open because he was busy hugging an opponent

His reaction to the whole thing was priceless.
 By 
Jacob Lauing
 on 
J.R. Smith left basket wide open because he was busy hugging an opponent
J.R. Smith was definitely in the game. Credit: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

In one of the more bizarre moments you'll see in basketball, Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith took a moment to embrace opposing player Jason Terry on the sidelines in the first half of the Cavs-Bucks game on Tuesday.

The two have a history — Smith was suspended for a game after he elbowed Terry in the face in the 2013 playoffs — so it appears as if they've reconciled their differences.

But why was their hug so strange?

Because it happened in the middle of the game, leaving Smith's man wide open and allowing the Bucks to score.

Keep an eye on the upper left corner. Smith leaves his man wide open in the fist half of the Bucks' 118-101 win.

What's even more bizarre, though, is Smith's post-game reaction.

Ski mask and hood-clad, he pleaded ignorance, and seemingly forgot about the exchange with Terry when reporters prompted him multiple times.

"I didn't even know I was in the game," Smith said, per CBS Sports. "My bad."

And no, Terry wasn't pulling a fast one on Smith. Or so he claims.

"Nah, I was just saying what's up, that's it," Terry said, per Cleveland.com. "Totally harmless."

Sorry J.R., even a ski mask couldn't cover up that mistake.

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Jacob Lauing

Jacob is Mashable's Sports Intern. He graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he studied journalism and served as editor-in-chief of Mustang News, Cal Poly's student newspaper. Some of Jacob's favorite activities include watching baseball, playing music and eating bagels.

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