When J.R. Smith's wife prayed for him and his lover on IG for 10 minutes: "For her to go out here and sneak a married man"
- Former NBA player J.R. Smith's wife, Jewel Harris, publicly prayed for both her husband and the woman she believed he was having an affair with, in a tearful Instagram video.
NBA players have been linked to plenty of infidelity scandals over the years, but one involving J.R. Smith in December 2019 still stands out.
Not so much for what the former Sixth Man of the Year allegedly did, but for how his wife, Jewel Harris, responded .
It was one of those rare moments that made even casual fans stop and watch — Harris, sitting in her car, eyes filling with tears, praying aloud not only for her husband but for the woman she believed was part of his alleged affair.
Another Smith controversy
Drafted 18th overall back in 2004, Smith carved out a 16‑year career packed with high-flying moments, two NBA championships and enough clutch shots to make any fan's jaw drop. Controversy? Sure, he had his share. And if you remember those late-career years, it didn't exactly stop.
Smith and Jewel Harris tied the knot in 2016, ready to start building a life together. Life hit them hard when Dakota, their daughter, showed up five months early, weighing barely a pound.
Probably still catching their breath, they barely had time to process life when the rumors hit. A Halloween video from October 2019 appeared, showing Smith with another woman and suddenly, everyone was talking.
That woman? Actress Candice Patton, best known for her role as Iris West-Allen on "The Flash."
Smith and Patton welcomed child in 2024
When it comes to personal drama, sometimes the boldest move is speaking up. That's exactly what Harris did, sharing a raw, tearful 10-minute prayer video on Instagram that turned the spotlight both inward and heavenward.
"God, I am humbly coming to you in the mighty name of Jesus," she began, explaining her prayer was divinely called. "I ask that you decrease my flesh and increase my spirit so this prayer is not blocked or hinder."
"We are all hurting," she continued. "Everybody is hurting. Not just me, but my husband, he's hurting. And Candice, Lord father God. She's hurting. I pray Lord Father God for Candice that you please just mend her heart. For her to go out here and sneak a married man. I pray you give her grace and mercy."
For Smith, silence was never part of his game. He built a career taking tough shots — on and off the court — and this was no different. Within hours, "Henny God" took to Instagram.
"IG ain't a place for relationships! But God told me to tell y'all I've been separated for months…" he wrote, hinting that crucial context was missing from his wife's video.
Of course, that single post flipped the narrative: were they already living apart, or was Harris reclaiming control of the story?
As for Patton she stayed mostly quiet. She simply turned off comments and let the noise fade.
The bond between Smith and Patton didn't fade after the headlines cooled off. Come September 2024, the two welcomed their first child. Just a few days later, the former Cleveland Cavalier shared the news on social media.
Of course, fans couldn't help themselves. The irony was too rich: Smith now had a baby with the same woman Harris once accused him of seeing on the side — and to make things even messier, he was still, at least on paper, a married man.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
