NBA stars react to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock

The 94th Academy Awards was meant to be an evening of celebration of film, music and what we all cherish, going to the movies. Instead, the Oscar world and the world at large were shocked when actor Will Smith took to the stage and punched Chris Rock. Smith then sat up and berated him, yelling at the top of his lungs for Rock to “keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth, keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.”

On live television, the show’s director obviously had no way of knowing what was going to happen. So, we all got to see the slap before everything was cut. The audio was muted but it was very obvious what Smith was saying. It left the world in awe, with NBA superstars sharing their thoughts on social media.

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard tweeted the uncensored video, presumably on Smith’s side because of his caption: “Lots of mfs need it.”

Lots of mfs need it… https://t.co/maQFqEZCUz

— Damien Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) March 28, 2022

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant tweeted a bunch of crying emojis.

😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/6nKQh1WUXa

—Ja Morant (@Ja Morant) March 28, 2022

Utah Jazz veteran Rudy Gay left a sentiment many probably thought at home, saying, “Shout out to Chris Rock for not rubbing his face after the slap. I know he wanted it.

Shout out to Chris Rock for not rubbing his face after the slap…. I know he wanted too

—Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) March 28, 2022

Charlotte Hornets goaltender Isaiah Thomas retweeted Gay’s post with his own caption.

It had to sting killa lol https://t.co/EQo8ITzH8N

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 28, 2022

Thomas’ teammate Miles Bridges finished his match on Sunday and checked social media, only to find he had exploded after Smith slapped Rock.

Why the first thing I see after our game is Will punching Chris Rock 😂😂😂😂😳

— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) March 28, 2022

It’s an unprecedented night at the Oscars. About half an hour after the incident, Will Smith won the Best Actor Oscar and had to take the stage for his acceptance speech. It was a whole night.

Here are more reactions to the Will Smith-Chris Rock incident at the 2022 Oscars:

“He’s going to cry in the car”😂😂

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 28, 2022

What did the five fingers say to the face.?

— Tim Hardaway Jr (@T_HardJR) March 28, 2022

He really slammed all the hell Chris Rock then won an Oscar 😂🔥

—Josh Hart (@joshhart) March 28, 2022

What is it about to be…

— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) March 28, 2022