It was a busy nine-game slate around the National Basketball Association. However, it wasn't a good night for many clubs, especially the ones that dealt with an injury.This article will highlight some of the critical injuries that occurred on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. At the same time, we will cover some players who were ruled out with a pre-existing ailment while examining which players have benefited.To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NBA, make sure to favorite or bookmark the RotoBaller Fantasy Basketball Newspage, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy basketball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. 

LaMelo Ball Injury Update

LaMelo Ball exited Monday's meeting with the Rockets with a sprained left ankle. This is an all too familiar ailment, as the 21-year-old injured it twice already this season. He missed the first 13 games of the 2022-23 campaign because of it before making his season debut on November 12 against Miami.https://twitter.com/HornetsOnBally/status/1615898994508546048?s=20&t=2ONmwk9cIuX1k5z8xOpxsQUnfortunately, the 2020 No. 3 overall pick was incapacitated again after stepping on a fan's foot during a matchup with Indiana just a few days later, keeping him sidelined for an additional 11 games. Now, it appears fantasy managers will be without Ball for a while, considering he needed help getting to the locker room.With ... [More]

As we celebrate the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the NBA had a loaded schedule throughout Monday. Unfortunately, there were some injuries throughout the day, which may create issues for teams moving ahead.This article will highlight some of the critical injuries that occurred on Saturday, January 16, 2023. At the same time, we will cover some players who were ruled out with a pre-existing ailment while examining which players have benefited.To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NBA, make sure to favorite or bookmark the RotoBaller Fantasy Basketball Newspage, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy basketball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. 

Donovan Mitchell Injury Update

Donovan Mitchell has been on a tear in his first season as a Cavalier, averaging a career-high 28.8 points per game. The 26-year-old has certainly made an impact, so there is naturally some concern surrounding his most recent injury, a groin strain, suffered during Monday's win over the Pelicans.https://twitter.com/ChrisFedor/status/1615106299636719632?s=20&t=nIB5An7gWfmmxjT49g7LLAMitchell exited in the third quarter and did not return to the contest, finishing with 11 points in 22 minutes. The former Louisville Cardinal has stayed relatively healthy in 2022-23, missing only five games. However, with the Cavs looking to make a deep run into the postseason, Mitchell may miss some games, beginning with Wednesday's meeting in Memphis.https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/status/1615116579011690502?s=20&t=8uEcBgsFXrfQNXVsKuQmNAWithout him in the lineup, others will have to step up. Of course, the first name to come to mind is ... [More]

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (groin) will be back from a three-game absence Wednesday against Boston. He suffered a right groin strain at the start of the month but is now ready to play again. The 31-year-old was enjoying a really nice stretch before getting injured and he will hope to continue to produce in Wednesday's matchup. Craig's absence gave Dario Saric a chance to log a couple of starts, but he'll now fall back into obscurity in fantasy hoops. Ish Wainright also picked up his first career start in the last game against Dallas and saw extended minutes during Craig's absence, but he failed to impress and will likely now struggle to get meaningful playing time.

Phoenix Suns power forward Torrey Craig (groin) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Mavericks due to a right groin strain, his third consecutive absence due to the ailment. Dario Saric has stepped into the starting five in place of Craig and delivered solid results for his DFS price, while Ish Wainright has seen his role among the bench unit grow. Craig has been integral on the defensive end for Phoenix, who are yielding the fifth-lowest PPG average (108.4) in the league this season. The next opportunity for the veteran to return to action comes Wednesday vs. Boston.

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (groin) won't play on Sunday versus the Spurs, marking his second straight absence because of a groin strain. The 31-year-old has played well in place of Cameron Johnson (knee) this season, averaging 8.8 points, 5.6 boards, and 1.2 blocks in 13 starts. Dario Saric filled in for him on Friday, although he scrounged together just three points while making only one of his four attempts from deep. Hopefully, Craig will be back sooner than later. That said, while Saric has upside based on his track record, fantasy managers should keep him out of the lineup until he proves he can produce.

Phoenix Suns power forward Torrey Craig (groin) has been deemed unavailable to suit up for Friday's contest against Houston due to a strained right groin. Craig's absence -- his first of the year -- figures to pave the way for Ish Wainright to accrue added minutes, while Mikal Bridges is set to take on a larger defensive and rebounding role. Craig has found an offensive rhythm as of late, scoring in double figures in six of his last nine outings, knocking down an average of 1.4 threes per game in that span. His next chance to return to action comes Sunday vs. the Spurs.

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig had 16 points in Friday's loss to Utah. He also added six rebounds and a steal. Craig has scored in double figures in each of his last three games. While the 31-year-old won't be a day-to-day fantasy producer moving ahead, he should continue to benefit with Cameron Johnson (knee) and Jae Crowder (personal) out of the lineup. Fantasy managers in deeper setups should consider getting him on the roster.

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (heel) is available on Friday against Portland. The 31-year-old was riding a questionable tag heading into the one because of a left heel contusion. However, he's good to go. Craig has averaged 5.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in seven games this season. Yet, he's only been playing just over 14 minutes per game, so his availability likely won't impact many fantasy managers.

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (elbow) mentioned that he will suit up for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks. He was listed as probable for this contest after missing each of the last two games. Craig only played six minutes during the first two games, but that could've been because of his elbow soreness. His return should take away some playing time from Jae Crowder and Cameron Johnson. Craig will likely only take a few minutes for them and is a risky DFS option.

Indiana Pacers forward Torrey Craig (illness) will play Thursday against the Detroit Pistons. Craig was questionable coming into Thursday and missed Wednesday's contest with the illness. Craig is back in the lineup, but he's been out of the rotation for a few games and does not hold any fantasy value. Craig is, however, someone to keep an eye on if the Pacers make any type of trade with the rumors circulating.

Indiana Pacers forward Torrey Craig enjoyed a career night in a loss to the Nets Friday. With multiple starters out, the 30-year-old Craig dropped a career-high 28 points in 34 minutes, chipping in 11 rebounds and three assists. The veteran had his shot going from deep, as he drained 4 of 7 three-point attempts while going 6-for-8 from the free-throw line. Indiana's lineup won't be so depleted moving forward- and Craig has only averaged 5.3 points per game for his career. He'll head back to a bench role when the team is healthy again.

Free-agent forward Torrey Craig agreed to a deal with the Pacers. The 30-year-old has played with three different teams throughout his four seasons in the league, most recently averaging 7.2 points and 4.8 rebounds throughout 32 games with Phoenix last season. Nonetheless, it's probable he won't possess consistent fantasy value this year. However, there may be times where he gets attention as a streaming option if an injury occurs somewhere in the Pacers' rotation during the 2021-22 campaign.

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric won't return to Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night after suffering a right knee injury late in the first quarter. Saric is one the team's main contributors off the bench, averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in about 11 minutes per game. Without him, Williams turned to Torrey Craig for more minutes in the first half and also used Frank Kaminsky, who hasn't played much in the postseason. Saric's right knee appeared to buckle when he landed on a jump stop while trying to score against Milwaukee's Brook Lopez. Shortly afterwards, he limped off the court and into the locker room. The Suns led the Milwaukee Bucks 57-49 at halftime. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — It would have been an awesome play even when Phoenix Suns Arena was empty: Cameron Payne floated a pass to a streaking Torrey Craig, who soared through the air before grabbing the alley-oop and flushing a powerful dunk with two hands. But there was one thing that made it even more special for the players. The crowd went absolutely nuts. As COVID-19 restrictions have slowly eased, the Phoenix Suns' fan base is relishing the team's return to playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The franchise welcomed a raucous sellout crowd of 16,219 on Monday night during its 122-105 victory in Game 1 over the Denver Nuggets. That's just below the arena's listed capacity of around 18,000. “This was the loudest game, to be honest, that I’ve ever played in,” Suns forward Deandre Ayton said. Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals is on Wednesday in Phoenix. Though there have been some well-documented instances of poor fan behavior during the NBA's postseason, there's little doubt that... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — It would have been an awesome play even when Phoenix Suns Arena was empty: Cameron Payne floated a pass to a streaking Torrey Craig, who soared through the air before grabbing the alley-oop and flushing a powerful dunk with two hands. But there was one thing that made it even more special for the players. The crowd went absolutely nuts. As COVID-19 restrictions have slowly eased, the Phoenix Suns' fan base is relishing the team's return to playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The franchise welcomed a raucous sellout crowd of 16,219 on Monday night during its 122-105 victory in Game 1 over the Denver Nuggets. That's just below the arena's listed capacity of around 18,000. “This was the loudest game, to be honest, that I’ve ever played in,” Suns forward Deandre Ayton said. Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals is on Wednesday in Phoenix. Though there have been some well-documented instances of poor fan behavior during the NBA's postseason, there's little doubt that... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks traded reserve forward Torrey Craig to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday for cash. The Bucks announced this move amid reports that the Bucks also were acquiring forward P.J. Tucker and guard Rodions Kurucs from the Houston Rockets for guard D.J. Augustin and forward D.J. Wilson in a trade that also involved draft picks. ESPN first reported both moves. Craig, Augustin and Wilson all participated in warmups before the Bucks’ 109-105 overtime victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday but weren’t with the team during the actual game. Tucker issued an Instagram post bidding farewell to Houston on Thursday but didn’t indicate where he was going. “I can’t find the words to describe how much the city of Houston means to me,” Tucker said in the Instagram post. “The city embraced me from Day 1 and stole my heart with all the love I was shown.” Craig, 30, gives Phoenix a strong defensive player with postseason experience. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 18.5 minutes last season in his third year with Denver but never found a consistent role in the Bucks’ rotation. He played just 18 games and averaged 2.5 points and 11.2 minutes. Craig missed nine early-season games with a broken nose and didn’t play due to the coach’s decision in 12 games. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks reserve forward Torrey Craig fractured his nose during a loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday. The Bucks announced the severity of Craig’s injury Monday and said he won’t play Tuesday at Miami. Craig was injured in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 130-110 victory. The fracture was discovered after Craig had a CT scan and additional evaluation Monday in New York. Milwaukee signed Craig last month after he spent three seasons with the Denver Nuggets. Craig averaged 5.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 18.5 minutes for Denver last season. The 6-foot-7 forward hasn’t scored in two games for the Bucks. He has averaged 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 6.5 minutes. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo has agreed to a supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks that takes the two-time reigning MVP off next summer's free-agent market. “I’m blessed to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years,” Antetokounmpo posted Tuesday on his social media platforms. The Bucks announced later in the day that Antetokounmpo had signed an extension without announcing the terms or length. The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo had until Monday to sign the Bucks’ supermax extension offer. If he turned it down, Antetokounmpo could have become a free agent after the upcoming season. The Athletic and Stadium reported that he agreed to a five-year extension worth $228 million that includes an opt-out clause in 2025. “This is my home, this is my city,” Antetokounmpo said in his post on social media. “I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it.” Bucks co-owners Marc Lasry,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo has agreed to a supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks that takes the two-time reigning MVP off next summer's free-agent market. “I’m blessed to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years,” Antetokounmpo posted Tuesday on his social media platforms. The Bucks announced later in the day that Antetokounmpo had signed an extension without announcing the terms or length. The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo had until Monday to sign the Bucks’ supermax extension offer. If he turned it down, Antetokounmpo could have become a free agent after the upcoming season. The Athletic and Stadium reported that he agreed to a five-year contract worth $228 million that includes an opt-out clause in 2025. “This is my home, this is my city,” Antetokounmpo said in his post on social media. “I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it.” Bucks co-owners Marc Lasry,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’s staying with the Milwaukee Bucks for at least five more seasons. “I’m blessed to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years,” the two-time reigning MVP posted Tuesday on his social media platforms. The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo had until Monday to sign the Bucks’ supermax extension offer. If he turned it down, Antetokounmpo could have become a free agent after the upcoming season. Although Antetokounmpo didn’t announce the terms of his new deal, The Athletic and Stadium reported that he agreed to a five-year contract worth $228 million that includes an opt-out clause in 2025. “This is my home, this is my city,” Antetokounmpo said in his post. “I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it.” His decision means the Bucks will hang on to their biggest superstar since Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who led Milwaukee to its lone NBA title... [More]