Jae Crowder A Game-Time Decision Vs. Blazers
BOSTON (CBS) -- Jae Crowder has not committed to playing against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night, and will be a game-time decision.
While he'll likely be limited if he does return, having Crowder back on the floor will be a huge boost for Boston.
The forward practiced fully for the first time on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain back on March 11. Crowder said he felt some minor soreness before Thursday's shootaround, but overall is feeling "pretty good."
Thursday night's game in Portland is the first of a back-to-back for the Celtics, with the 68-7 Golden State Warriors on tap for Friday. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters that if Crowder can only play in one of the two games, Thursday night would likely be the one.
The Celtics have gone 4-4 without their best two-way player, and his return will allow Stevens to stabilize his rotation with just two weeks remaining in the regular season. Crowder has averaged 14.4 points on 45 percent shooting in 66 games this season, and his return will take some of the offensive pressure off of Isaiah Thomas as well.
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