--- title: LeBron James Reacts to J.R. Smith's NBA Finals Mistake description: After a performance for the ages in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, LeBron watched on as J.R. Smith wasted the final seconds of regulation. canonical: https://time.com/5298467/lebron-james-jr-smith-nba-finals-mistake/ author: Megan McCluskey article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2018-06-01T15:13:16.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:53:11.923Z og:title: LeBron's Reaction to J.R. Smith's NBA Finals Error Is Epic og:description: The Cavs star was not happy and people can't get enough of it og:url: https://time.com/5298467/lebron-james-jr-smith-nba-finals-mistake/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4f3172ebb67a2333/6989321a096a94d63e6a2992/lebron-james-jr-smith.jpg?branch=production&width=594&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 594 og:image:height: 334 og:image:alt: LeBron-James-2018-NBA-Eastern-Conference-Finals og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: LeBron's Reaction to J.R. Smith's NBA Finals Error Is Epic twitter:description: The Cavs star was not happy and people can't get enough of it twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4f3172ebb67a2333/6989321a096a94d63e6a2992/lebron-james-jr-smith.jpg?branch=production&width=594&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Everyone Wins Thanks to LeBron James's Game-Changing Reaction to J.R. Smith's NBA Finals Mistake > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME The Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition The Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors. The Brief brings TIME's perspective to the day's most important stories, helping readers understand not just what is happening, but why it matters. It combines original reporting and analysis with the best of TIME, spanning politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. 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Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=836a1890-496d-4a7b-8426-9f03f796d1cb&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1)  by [Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer Jun 1, 2018 3:13 PM UTC  LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during Game 7 of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during Game 7 of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer—Getty Images  by [Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer Jun 1, 2018 3:13 PM UTC The basketball world was shook to its core Thursday night thanks to Game 1 of the[ 2018 NBA Finals](http://time.com/money/5297240/these-are-the-richest-investors-playing-in-the-2018-nba-finals/). But judging by his facial expressions, there was no one more thrown by the game’s rollercoaster ending than [LeBron James](http://time.com/5140127/nba-trade-deadline-lebron-james-memes/) himself. After putting on a performance for the ages in the [Cleveland Cavaliers](http://time.com/5023849/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-arthur-memes/) first post-season outing against the Golden State Warriors, LeBron watched on in horror as J.R. Smith squandered the final seconds of regulation by taking an offensive rebound out past the 3-point line without calling time. The tied game was sent into overtime and the Cavs went on to lose 114-124. But LeBron’s torment didn’t stop there. As is nearly always the case with devastating sports twists, the Internet couldn’t resist making a meme out of the moment. After a photo emerged of James throwing his arms up in disbelief at Smith’s mistake, Twitter was quick to take advantage of the opportunity to crack some jokes. > [](https://twitter.com/MikeABCColumbia/status/1002392277740871681) See some of the best reactions below. > [](https://twitter.com/David%5FC%5FSteele/status/1002396916754329600) > [](https://twitter.com/jordanlange25/status/1002399120559169536) > [](https://twitter.com/virgiltexas/status/1002397104235601926) > [](https://twitter.com/neontaster/status/1002405485411229696) > [](https://twitter.com/Phil%5FLewis%5F/status/1002393571876589568) > [](https://twitter.com/HerbScribner/status/1002401713079267328) > [](https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1002392442690310144) > [](https://twitter.com/travishelwig/status/1002397645455814656) > [](https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1002398784394088449) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5298467/lebron-james-jr-smith-nba-finals-mistake/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5298467/lebron-james-jr-smith-nba-finals-mistake/"},"headline":"Everyone Wins Thanks to LeBron James's Game-Changing Reaction to J.R. 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