J.R. Smith has been suspended for the first seven games of the season, the NBA announced today. The suspension stems from his pleading guilty to reckless driving from a 2007 auto accident that killed his friend Andre Bell. Smith already had been suspended by the team for two games at the beginning of the 2007-08 season after the crash.
The Nuggets open the season Oct. 28 at home against Utah, and during that stretch play at Portland, Indiana, New Jersey, Miami and Atlanta. He will be able to rejoin the team for the Nov. 10 at Chicago, which is the fifth game of a six-game road trip.
In its statement, the NBA said he was being suspended “Jersey, in connection with a 2007 accident resulting in the death of a passenger in Smith’s car, and for prior and subsequent motor vehicle offenses.”
