Jennifer Hudson was hit in the face by a basketball as she sat courtside during a Knicks game on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden – and the shocking moment was caught on camera.
The songstress, 43 – who recently stunned at the NAACP Image Awards – was sitting next to her partner and rapper Common when the basketball suddenly flew in her direction at the Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors match.
The incident occurred when Knicks’ Miles McBride reached for the ball near the sideline that was swiftly launched in his direction but couldn’t get a grip – resulting in the basketball slamming directly at Hudson.
McBride got a hold of the ball and immediately checked on the TV personality and shook her hand before jogging back onto the court.
Jennifer appeared to be shaken up as she removed her glᴀsses from her face which seemingly were bent.
Common reached his arm around the performer in a comforting gesture as one commentator yelled out, ‘Protect Jennifer Hudson!’
Jennifer Hudson, 43, was hit in the face by a basketball as she sat courtside during a Knicks game on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden – and the shocking moment was caught on camera
The songstress was sitting next to her partner and rapper Common when the basketball suddenly flew in her direction at the Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors match
The incident occurred when Knicks’ Miles McBride reached for the ball near the sideline that was swiftly launched in his direction but couldn’t get a grip – resulting in the basketball slamming directly at Hudson
“Protect Jennifer Hudson” ‼️Jennifer Hudson got her glᴀsses knocked off courtside after this pᴀss 😳 pic.twitter.com/i2s0RWKEQ1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 5, 2025
Another pointed out the state of her glᴀsses and said, ‘Oh no, not the glᴀsses. Those look real expensive, too.’
‘And Common is making sure everybody’s okay,’ the first commentator explained before a different angle of the moment was shown.
The Come Close hitmaker could be seen throwing his arms up over Hudson as he noticed the basketball flying in their direction.
Other fans nearby also instinctively placed their hands over their faces as the ball was tipped up into the air after smacking into the singer.
‘Let me see what Common did. Did he protect her?’ one commentator questioned, while the other stated, ‘He tried.’
Hudson is no stranger to sitting courtside at NBA games – and has been previously accompanied by her boyfriend.
Jennifer and Common had known each other for years before first sparking up romance rumors in 2022 while collaborating on the movie Breathe.
