J.R. Smith, the former NBA standout known for his on-court prowess, has recently welcomed a new addition to his family—a baby boy with actress Candice Patton. This announcement comes several years after Smith’s affair with Patton first made headlines, much to the dismay of his wife, Shirley “Jewel” Smith, who publicly exposed the relationship.
Patton, best known for her role in The Flash, subtly announced the birth of her son on Instagram on Friday. The 36-year-old actress posted an intimate photo of the baby’s tiny feet and a tattooed arm cradling him. In the caption, she wrote, “Son in Virgo. Born at home. Heart now beats outside of my chest. In love forevermore 💕👣,” but kept the father’s identity undisclosed.
The following day, J.R. and Patton shared a joint post on Instagram that featured a series of pictures of their newborn son, though his face was concealed by emojis. The baby’s arrival was met with surprise, especially since J.R. remains legally married to Shirley.
Fans were quick to voice their shock and opinions on social media. “That’s not his wife?!” one fan remarked, echoing the confusion shared by many. Others pointed out the history between J.R. and Patton, with one commenter writing, “Wow! Had a baby by the woman he cheated on his wife with.”
J.R. and Shirley’s marital issues became public nearly five years ago when Shirley called out J.R. and Patton’s affair in a heartfelt Instagram video. In the video, Shirley could be seen praying for both her husband and his alleged mistress, asking for healing and grace for them both. “My husband, he’s hurting and Candice, Lord Father God, she’s hurting,” Shirley prayed in the viral clip, calling for divine intervention for the situation.
At the time, J.R. responded to the viral video by claiming that he and Shirley had been separated for months, suggesting that the affair may not have been as straightforward as it seemed to the public. He also commented, “No weapon formed against me. IG ain’t a place for relationships!!” in defense of his actions.
Despite the drama, Shirley and J.R. remain married, having tied the knot in 2016. They share two daughters—Dakota, 7, and Denver, 4—while each also has a child from previous relationships.
J.R. and Patton were first linked back in October 2019 when they were spotted together at a Halloween party. Now, with the arrival of their son, it seems their relationship has reached a new level of commitment, even as J.R.’s marriage to Shirley remains unresolved.
The news of the baby’s birth has reignited conversations about the affair, with some fans expressing support for Shirley’s resilience and others critiquing J.R. and Patton’s choices. Nonetheless, J.R. Smith continues to focus on his growing family, while the situation with Shirley remains publicly complicated.
