J.R. Smith’s Jersey from Game 1 of NBA Finals Sells for Five Figures

Endlessly memed, Smith's last-second gaffe helped jersey fetch $23,548 at auction.

JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles in the closing seconds of regulation as LeBron James #23 attempts direct the offense against the Golden State Warriors  in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles in the closing seconds of regulation as LeBron James #23 attempts direct the offense against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images

At a recent auction, the jersey LeBron James wore while scoring 51 points in during Game 1 of the NBA Finals sold for $100,322.

But at the same event, the jersey his teammate, J.R. Smith, wore while rendering James’ scoring output useless and essentially losing the game for the Cleveland Cavaliers sold for about a quarter of that.

Call us crazy, but we’re betting it was a Warriors fan who put up the $23,548 to buy it.

In case you forgot, in the final seconds of Game 1 Smith had the ball under the basket and dribbled away from the hoop instead of shooting because he thought the Cavs were ahead when, in fact, the score was tied. Basketball fans mercilessly mocked Smith’s gaffe in memes that spread across social media like wildfire.

Smith’s mental meltdown was followed by Cleveland losing Game 1 in overtime and eventually being swept in the Finals 4-0.

In Game 2 of the series, Golden State fans showed Smith their appreciation for his efforts.

Now, one of those chanters probably has Smith’s jersey too. 

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