Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Likely won't have offseason surgery
Rotowire
VanVleet (hip/knee) told reporters Friday that he believes his lingering injuries from the season will be resolved "fairly quickly" with some rest and treatment, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
VanVleet suffered a bruised knee just before the All-Star break and injured his hip during Game 4 of the opening-round matchup with the 76ers, which ultimately sidelined him for the Raptors' final two games of the 2021-22 campaign. However, according to the point guard, neither injury is expected to limit his summer in any way, suggesting he won't need offseason surgery. VanVleet finished his sixth season in the NBA with averages of 20.3 points, 6.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 37.9 minutes per game -- all career highs.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Officially out for Game 6
Rotowire
VanVleet (hip) has been ruled out of Thursday's Game 6 against the 76ers, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.
VanVleet was doubtful coming in, so there was never much belief that he'd be able to suit up as the Raptors look to force a Game 7. That game would take place Saturday, so if Toronto is able to get a victory Thursday, VanVleet should be considered optimistically questionable for Game 7. With VanVleet sidelined for Game 5, the Raptors rolled with Gary Trent, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Khem Birch as the starting five.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Listed doubtful for Game 6
Rotowire
VanVleet (hip) is considered doubtful for Thursday's Game 6 against the 76ers, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports.
A strained left hip kept VanVleet out of Game 5 on Monday, and it looks like he's headed toward a second straight absence as the Raptors seek their third straight victory. Toronto has very little reliable depth at guard, so if VanVleet does remain out, look for Toronto to again lean heavily on Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent -- all of whom played at least 39 minutes in Game 5. The Raptors rolled with Khem Birch as the fifth starter, while Precious Achiuwa (27 minutes) also saw increased time off the bench.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Won't play in Game 5
Rotowire
VanVleet (hip) has been ruled out for Monday's Game 5 against the 76ers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
After suffering a left hip flexor strain during Saturday's Game 4, VanVleet was unable to return to the game and he'll remain sidelined for Monday's Game 5 due to the injury. Armoni Brooks could see some extra minutes in Toronto's backcourt Monday as a result, but Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent also figure to see increased workloads with the Raptors' season on the line.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Questionable for Game 5
Rotowire
VanVleet (hip) is questionable for Monday's Game 5 against the 76ers, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
VanVleet suffered a hip injury prior to halftime of Saturday's Game 4 win and didn't return. If the veteran point guard is unable to suit up for Toronto's win-or-go-home matchup, expect Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent to handle the majority of the backcourt duties.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Will not return
Rotowire
VanVleet (hip) will not return to Saturday's Game 4 matchup with the 76ers, Kayla Grey of TSN reports.
VanVleet suffered a hip injury prior to halftime of Saturday's contest. The Raptors will need to win in order to extend the series for their star point guard to have a chance to suit up again.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Dealing with hip pain
Rotowire
VanVleet suffered a hip injury during Saturday's Game 4 against the 76ers and will be evaluated at halftime to determine if he can return, Paul Jones of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.
The Raptors entered the half up 54-49, so there's certainly reason for VanVleet to try to return in an effort to avoid blowing a lead and being swept at home. More information should emerge after the half.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Drops 18 in loss to Sixers
Rotowire
VanVleet (knee) amassed 18 points (7-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt), six assists, two blocks, one rebound and one steal in 36 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 131-111 loss to the 76ers.
The point guard missed the final three games of the regular season while tending to a knee issue, and even with the extra rest, VanVleet didn't look entirely like himself in the Game 1 loss. He still drained multiple three-pointers for the sixth straight game, averaging 17.3 points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 threes, 3.0 steals and 2.8 boards over that stretch, but Toronto might need more from him if the team is going to rally in the series.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Off injury report
Rotowire
VanVleet (knee) is not on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the 76ers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
VanVleet missed the final three games of the regular season due to the bothersome knee injury that's affected him in the second half of the season. His efficiency has been awful since returning from a five-game absence in early March, as he's shot 34.7 percent from the field and 28.3 percent from distance over his past 13 appearances. That said, he's gotten plenty of time off, as he last played April 5.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Ruled out Sunday
Rotowire
VanVleet (knee) is out Sunday against the Knicks.
VanVleet was initially removed from the injury report for Sunday's matchup, but he'll ultimately sit out for a third consecutive game to close out the regular season. He'll attempt to return to full health in time for the playoffs.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
VanVleet (knee) is not listed on the injury report for Sunday's contest against the Knicks.
VanVleet has been sidelined for back-to-back games, but he's expected to return to the starting lineup Sunday. Since the Raptors have rested the 28-year-old recently, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team monitor his workload during the final game of the regular season.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Expected to return Sunday
Rotowire
Coach Nick Nurse said Friday that VanVleet (knee) is expected to play Sunday against the Knicks, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.
VanVleet has been sidelined for each of the last two games, but it appears likely that he'll be available for the final matchup of the regular season. Since the Raptors have rested the 28-year-old recently, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team monitor his workload ahead of the playoffs.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Ruled out Friday
Rotowire
VanVleet has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets due to right knee injury management.
VanVleet rested Thursday against the 76ers and wasn't on the Raptors' initial injury report Friday, but he'll ultimately be sidelined for a second straight game. Armoni Brooks and Malachi Flynn are in line for increased run against Houston.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
VanVleet (rest) isn't listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Rockets.
VanVleet sat out Thursday's win over the Raptors for rest purposes, but he's expected to be back in the starting lineup after being omitted from the injury report. Before his absence, the point guard had averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks in 35.1 minutes across his previous eight contests.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Will rest Thursday
Rotowire
VanVleet will be rested for Thursday's game against the 76ers, Michael Grange of SportsNet reports.
VanVleet has played in eight consecutive contests, so the Raptors will build in a night off on the front end of a back-to-back. Expect the guard to return for Friday's game against the Rockets, who stack up as a much more favorable opponent.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Woeful shooting persists
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VanVleet finished with 12 points (4-21 FG, 2-12 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, nine assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 118-108 victory over Atlanta.
Since returning from a four-game absence due to a persistent knee issue, VanVleet has failed to make more than eight shots in a single game, and he was shooting just 36.6 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from distance before Tuesday's tragic 4-for-21 showing. Fantasy managers are still getting nice assist and steal numbers out of the point guard, but the field-goal percentage is quite damaging.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Ties for team-high 29 points
Rotowire
VanVleet put up 29 points (7-17 FG, 4-11 3PT, 11-11 FT), seven assists, three steals and two rebounds in Sunday's 114-109 loss to Miami.
After averaging 14.6 points in his last nine games, VanVleet doubled that total against the Heat in a losing effort. Despite the high scoring output, the sixth-year guard's shooting numbers have been forgettable as he's only knocked down 40.7 percent of his shots from the field.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Accrued five steals in win
Rotowire
VanVleet had 12 points (5-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, eight assists, one block and five steals over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 125-102 win over the Timberwolves.
VanVleet struggled with his shot once again, but he salvaged his offensive night by dishing out at least eight assists for the third time over his last five appearances. The point guard also displayed his defensive prowess, tying his season high with five steals -- a mark he's reached twice now. Over his last five games, VanVleet has averaged just 12.0 points on 34.9 percent shooting, but he'll look to bounce back Friday against the Magic.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Slow night in OT win
Rotowire
VanVleet notched 14 points (4-13 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals over 40 minutes during Monday's 115-112 overtime victory over the Celtics.
VanVleet struggled with his shot in the win, scoring 14 points while converting only 30.7 percent from the floor. Although he didn't show up on the injury report, the knee injury he sustained during Saturday's game against the Pacers may have contributed to his shaky shooting night.
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Raptors' Fred VanVleet: Not on injury report
Rotowire
VanVleet (knee) is not listed on the injury report for Monday's game against Boston.
VanVleet was held out of the conclusion of Saturday's game against the Pacers, with was temporarily suspended due to a fire at the arena, but all indications are that he'll be available at full capacity to begin a four-game week for Toronto. The guard's production has declined sharply of late, as he's averaging just 15.2 points on 34.8 percent shooting (25.5% 3Pt) over his last six full games (39.5 MPG).
