Toronto Raptors star guard Fred VanVleet revealed that he will not play in Game 5 Monday night (8 p.m. ET) against the Philadelphia 76ers due to a nagging hip injury.
It’s a massive blow to the Raptors’ postseason hopes as they face elimination, trailing the Sixers 3-1 in their first-round series. Should they stay alive on Monday, he is unsure if he would even be available for a Game 6 (h/t Lori Ewing, Canadian Press).
VanVleet left Saturday’s Game 4 in Toronto after suffering the left hip strain where he was assessed at halftime and ruled out for the remainder of the contents — a 110-102 Raptors win to avoid the sweep.
The 28-year-old had a career season in his sixth year in the NBA, all with Toronto. In 65 games he posted a career-high 20.3 points and 6.7 assists per game while garnering his first-ever All-Star Game selection.
After scoring 18 and 20 points in Games 1 and 2 against the 76ers, VanVleet was held to just 12 points on 2-of-10 shooting in 45 minutes of play.
He lasted just 14:33 in Game 4 before he was hobbled by the hip issue, exiting in the second quarter.
Toronto could turn to Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam to assume point-guard responsibilities in VanVleet’s absence.
