New York Knicks small forward J.R. Smith has denied that he tugged at Vince Carter's headband during his side's game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

The 28-year-old was caught on camera committing the act with 10:54 left in the fourth quarter during the Mavericks' 110-108 victory at Madison Square Garden.

"No, your eyes were playing tricks on you," he told reporters with a laugh.

"You're reaching for that one. I [already] got fined once for that shit."

Smith was fined $50,000 (£30,000) by the NBA in early January for attempting to untie two of his opponents' shoelaces.