Celtics' Jae Crowder leaves Game 4 with left knee sprain

Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder left Sunday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference opening-round playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a left knee sprain. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder left Sunday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference opening-round playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a left knee sprain. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Crowder, who was starting in place of rookie guard Marcus Smart, exited the game at the 10:23 mark in the third quarter. On the previous play, he was struck in the face by Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith and fell to the ground. Smith was assessed a flagrant-2 on the play and automatically ejected.

In the first half, Crowder was shoved to the floor by Cavaliers center Kendrick Perkins as Perkins went to set a screen for Cavs forward LeBron James. Perkins was assessed a flagrant-1 for the foul, and both he and Crowder were assessed technical fouls.

• Cavaliers' Kevin Love leaves Game 4 with apparent shoulder injury

In his 17 minutes on the floor, Crowder scored seven points with three rebounds and one assist.

The Celtics trailed 57–38 when Crowder left the game.

- Mike Fiammetta