By JACQUELINE LINDENBERG FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 06:37 GMT, 5 March 2025 | Updated: 06:50 GMT, 5 March 2025

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 glasses 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

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 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

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

Another pointed out the state of her glasses and said, ‘Oh no, not the glasses. 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. 

Golden State WarriorsJennifer Hudson

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Eye-watering moment Jennifer Hudson gets smacked in face by flying basketball while courtside at Knicks game

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