George Clooney gave himself "a bum elbow" playing basketball before the Academy Awards.

The Oscar-nominated actor got hot and sweaty on the court just hours before the big event commenced.

George played with a team of friends that he had been shooting hoops with for two decades to calm his nerves before the ceremony.

The actor regrets only one thing about partaking in the sport.

"I played until 2.15," George told E! Online on the Oscars red carpet. "I played terribly. I have a bum elbow."

His girlfriend Stacy Keibler, who stunned in a Marchesa gown, was more preoccupied with primping perfectly in preparation for the ceremony.

"I woke up and got ready," she said. "I didn't do anything."

After Stacy picked up her golden dress and George quit playing basketball, the pair united for an impromptu jam session.

"We had on the '70s and '60s channel [on the radio]," Stacy gushed. "We were bopping around. We were dancing."

George and Stacy began dating last summer.