Cole Anthony sidelined until after All-Star Break due to fractured rib

Orlando Magic rookie PG Cole Anthony will be out until at least after the All-Star break due to a non-displaced rib fracture, the team announced Tuesday evening. Anthony had missed three straight games for the Magic, who are dealing with a bunch of injuries right now. Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and James Ennis are all on the shelf. The Magic are sitting at 10-18 and are still only 2.5 games out of the 8th seed in the East.

Anthony sustained the injury on February 9th and has been out ever since. The Magic are had already been without starting PG Markelle Fultz, who is done for the season due to a torn ACL. With Fultz and Anthony sidelined, the Magic have been forced to turn to veteran Michael Carter-Williams at PG. The Magic could also explore the idea of using Terrence Ross at PG a bit.

If you’re looking for somebody to scoop up off the waiver wire from the Magic, it’s Carter-Williams. He’s posted good numbers the past two games filling in for Anthony, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds. MCW is going to play around 30 minutes per game in the starting lineup and should see heavy usage until Orlando starts to get healthier. Ross isn’t a bad option as well but he may have more ownership than Carter-Williams. Ross also is only going to help you in the scoring and 3-point department really.

Anthony had been at +2500 as of last week to win Rookie of the Year. It’s not like he had much of a chance with LaMelo Ball now at -500. Anthony’s odds to win ROTY are now at 150/1 and with this injury, it’s not realistic at all. The UNC product had a chance to get into the ROTY conversation after Fultz went down, but wasn’t able to take advantage.