J.R. Smith Hit With Protective Order After Assault Charge
A judge signed an emergency protective order against the ex-NBA guard on Sept. 29, keeping him 333 yards from the alleged victim through Dec. 29.
Retired since 2020 — no fantasy relevance, purely an off-court legal story.
- EPO signed Sept. 29, active through Dec. 29
- Must stay 333 yards from woman's home/work
- Charged with assault causing bodily injury
- Arrested Sept. 28, released on $5,000 bond
- Smith is 41, retired from NBA in 2020
Former NBA guard J.R. Smith is facing a legal mess that has nothing to do with a box score. A judge signed an emergency protective order against him on Sept. 29, barring the 41-year-old from any contact with a woman he's accused of injuring. That order runs through Dec. 29 and forces him to stay at least 333 yards from her residence and workplace.
The underlying charge is serious. Smith was accused on Sept. 18 of intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to a woman described as a family or household member, or someone he had a dating relationship with. A criminal complaint filed Oct. 2 alleges he hit, grabbed or pushed her with his hand during an altercation. He now faces one count of assault causing bodily injury family violence.
The timeline moved fast. Southlake Police issued an arrest warrant shortly after the alleged incident, and Smith was taken into custody during a traffic stop in Royse City, Texas on Sept. 28. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released the following day — the same day the protective order was signed.
The terms go beyond keeping his distance. Under the EPO, Smith can only communicate with the woman through an attorney and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition while the order stands.
Smith's attorney, Justin A. Moore, said last week that his client is eager to resolve the matter and has full confidence in the legal process. Moore emphasized that Smith is presumed innocent, said the case will be addressed in court, and asked that everyone involved be given privacy. A follow-up request for comment on the protective order went unanswered.
For context on the man himself: Smith played in the NBA from 2004 to 2020 and won two championships before stepping away from the league.
The fantasy angle here is simple — there isn't one. Smith has been retired since 2020, so this never touches a lineup decision, a waiver claim or a trade. We're flagging it only because his name still carries weight with longtime readers. No action required on any roster; just a story to watch unfold in the courts.
