Jae Crowder Shines As Milwaukee Bucks Conquer Phoenix Suns In His Emotional Return

Last month, when Jae Crowder played against his former team, the Phoenix Suns, in Milwaukee for the first time, he expressed to his new teammates on the Milwaukee Bucks that he had a strong desire to win. However, Grayson Allen didn’t think it was important to share similar sentiments ahead of the Bucks’ upcoming rematch against the Suns at Footprint Center on Tuesday.

“I think we understand,” a smiling Allen said.

Jae Crowder returned to the Phoenix to play his first game since the Suns lost in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against Dallas, which ended their impressive season. Crowder scored 11 points and played a significant role in the Milwaukee Bucks’ victory over the Suns, resulting in a 116-104 win. The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,071 and completed a sweep of the home-and-away series by the Bucks.

“I just flipped the chapter,” Crowder said. “I just flipped it and turned it into another one. I’m enjoying the journey of whatever this one holds.”

Jae Crowder finally got to play in Phoenix again after the Suns’ heartbreaking loss to Dallas in the playoffs last season. He put up 11 points and played a crucial role in helping the Milwaukee Bucks sweep the home-and-away series against the Suns with a 116-104 win. The game was played in front of a packed house of 17,071 fans, which must have been an electrifying atmosphere for both teams.

Jae Crowder made three 3-pointers in a row, and the final one gave the Milwaukee Bucks a 13-point lead having only 1 minute and 24 seconds remaining in the game. This victory also made the Bucks the first team to secure a playoff spot this season, with an impressive record of 50 wins and 19 losses. While jogging down the sidelines, Crowder had some words for Phoenix Suns, who have lost three games in a row. He celebrated with his new teammates as the Suns called a timeout. It must have been a great moment of excitement for the whole team.

“It’s just something that I do,” a smiling Crowder said about hitting the 3 as he went 3-of-4 from deep Tuesday. “It felt good, but as I said, I think our closing basketball was high level. That’s what we’re working for. Trying to figure out how to close, especially on the road.”

Jae Crowder, the experienced forward, did not participate in the Suns’ training camp as the team was looking to trade him. According to reports, Crowder was disappointed because he believed that Cam Johnson was going to start ahead of him, but he denies this narrative. Nonetheless, he confessed after the game on Tuesday that he has become overly focused on being a starter and now has set his sights on finishing games for the Bucks.

Jae Crowder wasn’t subject to any teasing or taunting during his pregame warm-up routine. However, he was uncertain about how the fans would react to him during the actual game.

“I really don’t know,” Crowder said before the game. “Just happy to see some familiar faces in the back, the ushers and stuff. It’s good to see some familiar faces and say hello.”

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