Jae Crowder says he's ahead of schedule, hopes to return soon


With the Celtics desperately missing their small forward, news has emerged that Jae Crowder is feeling ahead of schedule in terms of his return. Prior to Wednesday night's game against the Thunder, Crowder talked about how he is feeling better. Via Scott Souza of the Providence Journal:

But the forward did his best to temper the pessimism prior to Wednesday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he said he feels “we’re moving faster along than we thought.”

Crowder said he has already been bicycle training and has managed to get most of the swelling out of the high ankle sprain.

“It feels pretty good, a little stiff,” Crowder said. “I just biked a little bit. I’ve been working out and getting treatment twice a day since I hurt it. I’ve been doing everything I have to do to get back. It feels great it’s getting better.

“I don’t even know the timetable. I feel like I am moving ahead, moving along with it pretty well.”

“I’m telling myself I’m good,” he said. “They’re telling me I’m not. I’m just feeling very sore. But I feel like I’m close to being able to return.

Crowder was also seen walking around without a boot on, but has been instructed to keep using it for the time being:



For the Celtics, it's vital that Jae Crowder get back as soon as he can because of his importance as the best two-way player on the team. We've seen over the last two games that against guys like Paul George and Kevin Durant, Crowder would have been the primary defender on them and that space hasn't been filled well enough for the Cs to win games. Tonight's game against the Raptors will mark a week that Crowder has been out.

The Celts are now 5th in the East as they've fallen from the 3rd spot since losing the last three games. With matchups against Toronto tonight, Philly, Orlando and Toronto again in the coming week, it's crucial for Crowder to come back as soon as he can to help the Celtics not fall in the standings.

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