In the second quarter of Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, Denver Nuggets starting small forward Torrey Craig fell into the back of his own teammates’ leg and broke his nose, according to to TNT broadcast of the game.
The Nuggets sent out their own injury update saying that Craig suffered a nasal contusion and is questionable to return.
This is the play that Craig injured his face by falling onto the back of Monte Morris’ leg.
Torrey Craig hits his face on the leg of a teammate pic.twitter.com/tzehchHBNw
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) May 2, 2019
As Craig came off the floor and headed to the locker room, after being on the ground for quite some time being tended to by trainers, he was photographed bleeding profusely from his face which is just more evidence that he likely broke his nose.
Torrey Craig being helped back to the locker room. Lots of blood. pic.twitter.com/j9MXCncudn
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 2, 2019
In addition to Craig’s potentially broken nose, TNT’s Dennis Scott also reported that Craig was getting am X-ray to see if there were any other fractures in or around his face. With Craig out of the game, Malik Beasley, Will Barton, and Gary Harris will all see an increased work load.
Craig has been Denver’s primary defender on their opponents best perimeter threats throughout the playoffs. Against the Spurs, he entered the starting unit in Game 4 and defended DeMar DeRozan. Against Portland, he has been the main player to defend Damian Lillard.
In eight playoff games, Craig is averaging 6.5 points on 55.9% shooting from the field and 57.1% from three-point range while also putting up 5.1 rebounds and one assist in 21.8 minutes per game.
Craig did return to the Nuggets bench about halfway through the third quarter sporting a mask on his face and returned to the game with three minutes left in the third quarter.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.