Possible Calf Strain Puts Crowder's Status Vs. Knicks In Question
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Celtics may be without one of their best all-around players when they take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday evening.
Jae Crowder, who is averaging 14.3 points per game on 45 percent shooting this season, could miss Tuesday's tilt in New York after suffering a leg injury in Sunday night's loss to the Orlando Magic. The forward didn't miss time on Sunday with what he believed was a kicked shin, but played poorly on both ends of the floor in the loss.
Boston trainers are now reportedly concerned Crowder suffered a strained calf. Crowder didn't participate in Monday's practice in New York and did not sound very optimistic about playing on Tuesday, according to Adam Himmselsbach of The Boston Globe:
Jae Crowder said he's concerned his kicked shin might be calf strain. Missing practice and didn't sound very confident about playing tomoro
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) February 1, 2016
Crowder has started all 49 games for the Celtics this season and is a key part of their success thanks to his balanced play on both ends of the floor. He would likely have been tasked with defending Carmelo Anthony on Tuesday, which he's done twice already this season. Anthony scored 29 points in a New York loss in Boston in late December but had a rough day from the floor, shooting 11-for-26. He was 7-for-10 against the C's on January 12, but had to leave the game after just 18 minutes on the floor after hurting his leg on a first-half collision with a referee. The Knicks won that matchup with the Celtics, 120-114.
If Crowder cannot play on Tuesday, forward Evan Turner would likely get the start for Boston.