"Dirty player" - NBA fans pile on Cole Anthony as Jaden Ivey is assessed with broken fibula after collision with Magic guard

In Wednesday's game between the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons, Cole Anthony dove at Jaden Ivey's legs while trying to secure a loose ball. The play saw Anthony wind up taking out one of Ivey's legs and the Pistons guard falling to the ground in pain.

After being taken off the court on a stretcher, Ivey was diagnosed with a broken fibula in his left leg per ESPN's Shams Charania, who provided an update the following morning.

Immediately, as in past instances when a player is injured during a loose ball play, NBA fans were quick to react, with many taking aim at Cole Anthony for what some have deemed a dirty play.

While Anthony may not have purposely dove into Ivey's leg with the intention of hurting him, the play has opened up the floor for debate regarding players diving for loose balls.

"Cole Anthony is a dirty player," one wrote.

"Cole Anthony gotta be suspended for this . Diving at someone’s leg with 10 min left in a game like it’s the nba finals game 7 is nasty," another added.

Others continued to weigh in on the situation:

"Actually tragic asf wow… him and cade be playing some really good ball. great energy and hustle, sucks that this happened. prayers up for him," one fan wrote.

"Get Cole Anthony out my league," another added.

Looking at Jaden Ivey's potential recovery timeline after collision with Cole Anthony on Wednesday

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) grabs his leg as he falls to the court after being injured against the Orlando Magic. (Credits: IMAGN)

While a broken fibula may not be as devastating an injury as a fractured tibia, per ClevelandClinic.org, several factors will determine how soon Jaden Ivey can return after his collision with Cole Anthony.

Because the tibia is a longer bone that bears more weight and supports the body more than the fibula, recovery is often longer for the tibia than for the fibula, which is not weight-bearing.

Despite that, Ventura Orthopedics says that a typical spiral fracture in the fibula takes three to six months to heal. Considering that basketball players like Jaden Ivey have to prepare their bodies for running and jumping, the timeline for his recovery will likely allow him to return at the start of next season.

Considering the Pistons are currently ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference, half a game behind the eighth-place Pacers, Ivey's injury will almost certainly derail the Pistons season.

When he returns to the floor, the team's roster could look different from its current makeup. With Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, Paul Reed, Wendell Moore and Cole Swider on expiring deals, Detroit will likely see some roster turnover between now and when Jaden Ivey is ready to return.