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

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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

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.' 

The two stars were also spotted outside the venue during the night as they were greeted by fans. 

Jennifer held hands with the rapper and was stylishly casual in a pair of loose-fitting blue jeans as well as a white tank top and black trench coat. 

Her boyfriend opted for comfort in a pair of blue sweatpants as well as a matching blue and white-colored hoodie. 

McBride got a hold of the ball and immediately checked on the TV personality and shook her hand before jogging back onto the court

The two stars were also spotted outside the venue during the night as they were greeted by fans

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. The pair were then spotted together on multiple occasions. 

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And in early 2024, the couple confirmed their relationship when he appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show. 

At the time, the Dreamgirls actress questioned the music artist about his relationship status - and he confirmed he was dating someone. Despite the rapper not naming Jennifer, he seemingly was referencing to Hudson. 

Common also gave the beauty a bouquet of flowers during the episode and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. 

Back in July of last year, he expressed on The Breakfast Club: 'If I'm going to get married, it's to her.' 

Soon after, he stopped by Hudson's talk show and she told him, 'I heard you've been even out there talking about marriage. What's that about? I just happened to notice that.' 

The rapper responded with, 'You know what, you told me a quote that your mother said, "A man knows what he wants." I was saying my true feelings about, listen, Jennifer is the person.' 

Jennifer held hands with the rapper and was stylishly casual in a pair of loose-fitting blue jeans as well as a white tank top and black trench coat

Hudson is no stranger to sitting courtside at NBA games - and has been previously accompanied by her boyfriend; seen in January 2024 in L.A. 

The John Wick actor added, 'If I should be married, it will be to Jennifer Kate Hudson. I was just being honest.' 

And late last year in December, Common followed up on his comments about marriage to the singer on Today. 

At one point, Al Roker stated that he had been on the 'hot seat' when the rapper brought up possibly tying the knot with Jennifer in the future. 

'I didn't feel like that was the hot seat. I was just being true to who I was. It was the cool seat because it was really, just, man, I was telling my truth and that truth still is there. 

'She's just an amazing human being, beautiful person. I'm loving watching her on her talk show. I'm a fan. I watch her talk show,' he sweetly gushed.

'In life, for me, I look for people in my life who are uplifting, who believe in a higher power, who treat other people well. I like that she's busy too. That's good for me too.'

The John Wick actor added, 'If I should be married, it will be to Jennifer Kate Hudson. I was just being honest'

Hudson has been keeping busy and recently made a glamorous appearance at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors late last month in L.A. (seen above)

Hudson has been keeping busy and recently made a glamorous appearance at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors late last month in L.A. 

She wowed wearing a long-sleeved, black gown that clung to her frame and contained a shimmering silver neckline. 

Her dark locks were parted in the middle and fell down straight to nearly brush the tips of her shoulders. 

During the ceremony, the TV personality notably won the award for Outstanding Host in a Talk Show or News/Information (Series or Special).