Jennifer Hudson was nearly drilled by a stray basketball at the Knicks game Tuesday night — and while Common did his best to save the day … she still appeared to end up with quite the ouchie.

The singer/actress cruised to Madison Square Garden with her boyfriend to catch New York’s tilt with Steph Curry and the Warriors … but unfortunately for the two, they got a little too close to the action in the tilt’s second quarter.

Miles McBride attempted to steal a basketball right in front of the courtside couple — but instead of corralling it, he knocked it right near Hudson’s noggin.

The night otherwise went pretty well for Hudson, she got to rub elbows with Spike Lee — and while the Knicks lost, she was able to watch Curry go off for 28 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Of course, she’s not the first A-lister to find danger on MSG’s celeb row this season … Anne Hathaway almost got taken out by OG Anunoby back in November.