Bucks’ Jae Crowder expected to miss around 8 weeks after surgery: How it affects Milwaukee

Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder is expected to miss around eight weeks after he undergoes surgery on his left adductor and abdominal tear Tuesday, the team said Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

The veteran sustained a left groin injury in Saturday’s game against the Orlando Magic and was later diagnosed with the adductor and abdominal tear.
Crowder has appeared in all nine games for Milwaukee (5-4) this season, averaging 8.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
The 33-year-old is in his 11th NBA season and holds career averages of 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

ILL BE APPROACHING THIS OBSTACLE WITH THE SAME DRIVE & DEDICATION I PUT INTO THE GAME. I LOOK FORWARD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE BUILDING WITH MY TEAMMATES SOON. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WELL WISHES & TEXT MESSAGES.. 99 BACK SOON.! 🙏🏾🤞🏾💪🏾
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) November 14, 2023

What are the Bucks losing in Crowder?

Crowder has been one of the Bucks’ lone bright spots thus far this season. After a disappointing end to last season, Crowder came into training camp focused and prepared to make a difference this season with the Bucks. And while the Bucks as a whole have stumbled out of the gate, Crowder put together a strong start to the season. He has been one of the Bucks’ leading 3-point shooters to start the season, knocking down 51.6 percent from deep, and has been a rock for the Bucks defensively.

While he is not as quick as he used to be, he took on a leadership role defensively and tried to help his teammates understand the team’s new defensive scheme under their first-time head coach. — Eric Nehm, senior Bucks writer

GO DEEPER

Jae Crowder setting aggressive tone on defense in Bucks camp: 'Trying to elevate my game'

How it affects Milwaukee

While the Bucks have struggled defensively, Crowder was a vocal leader on that end of the floor and a player who instills toughness into any lineup, so the Bucks will definitely miss his presence defensively. They will try to make up for it with two young players in MarJon Beauchamp and Andre Jackson Jr., who will both provide more speed and quickness, but won’t necessarily bring the same level of gravitas on that end.

Offensively, Crowder was really shooting the ball well, but he is just a role player on that end, so other players on the roster will have a chance to step into many of the same shots that he was taking. — Nehm

What they’re saying

Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said it’s “tough news.”

Griffin called Crowder, who was averaging 26.7 minutes per game this season, a “tremendous piece” of what Milwaukee’s “trying to do moving forward.” But Griffin said Crowder will return with plenty of time to reintegrate into the rotation.

“He’ll be back way before the playoffs to get his rhythm back. This happens in sports, so we just gotta stay positive and look at the bright side and that’s other guys being able to get some minutes and help this team win.”

Griffin named Beauchamp and Jackson as two players who could step up in Crowder’s absence.

“I just think, starting with MarJon, he’s done a terrific job on both sides of the ball. Really pleased,” Griffin said. “I’m a defense-first coach, so I just like his athleticism, his length. … He can guard multiple positions. And then offensively, he’s more athletic than what people may think. He’s a strong player. He can get to the rim and finish above the rim and then he’s a capable 3-point shooter.

“And then I love what I see out of ‘Dre. I think the most important thing with ‘Dre is his competitive spirit. He gets out there and he flies around. He’s gonna make some rookie mistakes. Last game, he stepped out of bounds and stuff like that … So, there’s going to be a learning curve with him, but I feel good with him on the floor.”

But Griffin said it’s hard to replace experience.

“We’ll miss his veteran presence in the locker room and on the court, his leadership and voice, but I think he’ll still be able to lead us out there through his rehab,” Griffin said. “We have the best medical staff and we know Jae will come back stronger.”