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NBA Rumors: Jae Crowder suffers an ACL sprain after J.R. Smith scuffle

By Alexandra Huber

Feb 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives for the basket between Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Brandon Knight (11) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives for the basket between Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Brandon Knight (11) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder suffers an ACL sprain, will be out for a few weeks.

Jae Crowder, the Celtics’ small forward, suffered a sprained left knee during Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Crowder suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Celtics’ game 4 loss to the Cavaliers Sunday in Boston.

After a tussle in the post with Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith, in which Smith’s arm smacked Crowder in the face, Crowder fell to the ground and twisted his knee. Unable to walk under his own power, he had to be helped off the court.

On Monday morning, Crowder voiced his displeasure with Smith’s play. “If that’s what you’d call physical play,” Crowder said. “Cheap shots. But it is what it is.”

“It’s a tough way for the season to end and tough way for myself, he continued. “But I’ll be fine.”

Smith denied any wrongdoing after the game on Sunday. “There was nothing malicious about it,” he said. “I didn’t do anything to try to hurt him.”

Smith earned a flagrant 2 foul for the hit.

The silver lining is that Crowder will be out for just a few weeks, according to the Boston Globe. Unfortunately for the Celtics, Sunday’s game 4 loss capped off a sweep by the Cavaliers. The Celtics season is now over.

Though the Cavaliers are headed on to the next round, the team faces an uncertain future.

Smith will face a penalty from the league, possibly even a suspension, for his hit to Crowder. A one game suspension is possible but, due to Smith’s past history and the fact that Crowder was injured on the play, it could be more.

In addition to Smith’s almost certain absence, Kevin Love suffered a dislocated shoulder in the first quarter, and will likely miss up to two weeks.

The Cavs have to hope that LeBron James and Kyrie Irving can carry them over the Bulls or the Bucks (the Bulls lead the series 3-1) in the second round.

Assuming the Bulls advance, the Rose v. Irving matchup will be the one to watch.

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