Game 4 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics has claimed many casualties. Kevin Love went down with a shoulder injury in the first half that may or may not have been a dirty play, and now Jae Crowder is out on what definitely was a dirty shot.
J.R. Smith was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul after he delivered a backhanded swipe to the Crowder’s jaw in the third quarter today. Crowder went down in a heap and had to be helped off the court with a knee injury. He was later ruled out for the game with a sprained left knee.
According to @celtics, Jae Crowder has a L knee sprain and will not return
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 26, 2015
Looking at the Crowder-Smith replay, Crowder may have blown out his left knee. Looked bad. #celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) April 26, 2015
Coincidentally, a similar altercation involving JR — when he was with the Knicks — happened two years to the day when he elbowed Jason Terry in the face in the same building. That shot earned him a flagrant 2 as well and a one-game suspension.
There’s a pretty good chance J.R. gets at least that after this cheap shot, possibly more. Bad news for the Cavs who may be without Kevin Love as well, even if they get a week of rest as the Bulls and Bucks continue to duel in their series.
