More on Fred VanVleet Injury
Mike Trudell: Fred Van Vleet and Kyle Lowry will remain out due to respective injuries for tonight’s Raptors game against the Lakers in Tampa. DeAndre Bembry and Gary Trent, Jr. (traded for Norman Powell) have started the last few games with rookie Malachi Flynn playing well off the bench.
The Raptors have ruled Fred VanVleet (hip) OUT for tonight's game vs the Lakers. Lowry (foot), Watson (protocols), Hood (hip), McCaw (knee) and Harris (hip) remain out, as well.
There are two things Fred VanVleet enjoys and is good at that have been a problem since he sprained his left shoulder running into Giannis Antetokounmpo 10 days ago or so. He’s optimistic that as he gets closer to full strength, both will soon resume their proper place in his on- and off-court life, respectively. “Everyone always asks me what it is [that bothers the shoulder] and I tell them it’s shooting and sleeping, two things I do pretty well and I’ve been struggling [with] the past few days,” VanVleet said as the Raptors were about to leave for Sacramento on Saturday afternoon in advance of their game against the Kings on Sunday night. “But I’m feeling good now and hopefully we’ll see how today goes and I’ll get back out there sooner than later.”
There are two things Fred VanVleet enjoys and is good at that have been a problem since he sprained his left shoulder running into Giannis Antetokounmpo 10 days ago or so. He’s optimistic that as he gets closer to full strength, both will soon resume their proper place in his on- and off-court life, respectively. “Everyone always asks me what it is [that bothers the shoulder] and I tell them it’s shooting and sleeping, two things I do pretty well and I’ve been struggling [with] the past few days,” VanVleet said as the Raptors were about to leave for Sacramento on Saturday afternoon in advance of their game against the Kings on Sunday night. “But I’m feeling good now and hopefully we’ll see how today goes and I’ll get back out there sooner than later.”
Josh Lewenberg: VanVleet is back tonight.
KC Johnson: Fred VanVleet (knee) out vs. Bulls.
Ryan Wolstat: VanVleet says no symptoms, no concussion
Eric Koreen: VanVleet says he hates wearing a mouthguard, all kids should wear them, but now he's going to have to. He says he will probably toss it at some point during game. Says he continues to have no concussion symptoms. Eye is a bit blurry, but he's had worse
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet needed seven stitches after taking an elbow to the face in the fourth quarter on Friday, but he was more upset about damaging a tooth. "If that's what being a Canadian is, I don't think I want it," VanVleet said with a smile after the game. "You know I don't play hockey, I've got a lot of respect for those guys and what they do, but you know, losing a tooth is not fun. Obviously, the stitches I could deal with, but I was more upset that I could have the remnants of my teeth floating around in my mouth as I was laying there on the ground."
DRAKE IN THE COMMENTS 💀🏥 (via @FredVanVleet | IG)
Eric Smith: Fred VanVleet is back today
Doug Smith: Couple of injury report changes for the Raptors today in Detroit Kyle Lowry goes to "doubtful" from "questionable" Fred VanVleet goes to "probable" from "questionable" And, both, really, are day-to-day in the grand scheme of things, as we all are
Doug Smith: Raptors list Lowry and VanVleet as questionable for Sunday in Detroit but nary a word about "load management" going into the start of the back-to-back. It's early, though
Josh Lewenberg: Sounds like VanVleet has been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow.
Josh Lewenberg: VanVleet jokes he's gotta make up for lost time: "I'm going to shoot a lot when I get back. I've been joking with the guys that I got 5 weeks of shots coming, so when I get it they better just go for the rebound."
Josh Lewenberg: Lowry and Green are both listed as questionable for tonight's game vs the Lakers with left ankle sprains. VanVleet is still out but Nurse hopes to have him back in the next week. Ibaka begins serving his 3-game suspension.
Ryan Wolstat: Per the Raptors and a good idea why Lin signing was an even better idea: "Fred VanVleet is out with a partial ligament injury to his left thumb. VanVleet will wear a splint for approximately 3 weeks. The injury occurred in the 2nd quarter of Saturday’s victory at NYK."
Ryan Wolstat: Fred VanVleet doubtful for tonight for Raptors due to thumb issue.
Michael Grange: Fred VanVleet has been upgraded to probable for tonight vs. Celtics.
Ryan Wolstat: VanVleet questionable for tomorrow Miles doubtful for Raptors
Ryan Wolstat: Fred VanVleet said he felt a tingling and wanted to stay down and catch his bearings. Says he thinks it's minor though. Just the latest in a long line of bumps and bruises.
Ryan Wolstat: VanVleet said all of the injuries are just one of those things. Have had unbelievable health as a team past few years (one of healthiest in the NBA in that span) now things are going the other way. He said rather have them now than in April though.
Tim Bontemps: Update: no Kawhi Leonard tonight. Fred VanVleet will play.
Eric Smith: OG will play. Van Vleet will play. #Raptors
Malika Andrews: Kawhi Leonard is starting for Toronto tonight. Fred VanVleet (toe) and OG Anunoby (personal reasons) are out.
Michael Grange: Fred VanVleet (strained toe) is out vs.Mavs; JV starts, Siakam with KL2.
Josh Lewenberg: Raptors are starting Wright, Green, Powell, Siakam and Ibaka vs Melbourne tonight. Leonard (rest), Lowry (rest), Miles (rest), VanVleet (hammy stiffness) and Anunoby (personal) out.
Candace Buckner: #Raptors backup PG Fred Van Fleet is available tonight for Game 6 and Casey says they will get him in.
Eric Smith: Casey says Van Vleet will not play in game 5 tonight. #RTZ #raptors
Eric Koreen: OG will play. VanVleet won't play. "The medical people are still holding him out," says Casey.
Michael Grange: Fred VanVleet on his shoulder: “I can shoot through the pain, but passing, dribbling, running, fighting through screens, a little bit of everything was juncomfortable & pain is probably not the problem, just lack of range & strength would probably be the other biggest thing.”
Eric Smith: Casey says Fred Van Vleet will not play tonight in Game 4.
Josh Lewenberg: Some VanVleet math: he says he was at -100% when he hurt the shoulder, got back to 0, which felt like 100% and is why he played in G2. He's getting better, but still limited. "Me at 50% won’t help anybody. I tried. It didn’t go as planned. Now I’ve got to get back right.”
Eric Koreen: Although Dwane Casey termed him as day-to-day yesterday, Fred VanVleet is listed as doubtful for Game 4. Don’t expect him to play.
Michael Grange: Fred VanVleet - doubtful for Game 4 - sustained a sprain to his AC joint on his right shoulder April 11th. Laymen's term: separated shoulder. Likely Grade I or Grade II. There is no magical way to heal it. It is usually a minimum 2-week recovery and we are at Day 11.
Michael Grange: Raptors are holding out Fred VanVleet in Game 3 to give his shoulder more time, says Casey.
Eric Koreen: In regards to team’s approach with FVV tonight, Dwane Casey offered a “We’ll see.” I’ll have to get out my medical glossary for the one.
Eric Smith: The official word on Van Vleet from Casey is "we'll see". So...call it questionable...call it a game time decision...whatever ya like...we are all still in a holding pattern with FVV's status/availability for tonight's game 3.
Ryan Wolstat: VanVleet said he wasn’t quite right. Coaching staff made right call to take him off said he’s come. A long way and improved quicker than Raptors thought he would.
Josh Lewenberg: VanVleet on his injury: "I've come a long way in a week, I'll tell you that much. I'm not trying to give you guys all the information, but I'm recovering a little faster than they thought I would or should."
Ryan Wolstat: Casey says VanVleet just wasn’t ready. Said he tried to play, tough kid but “Mother Nature told him to take his time, let him heal a bit more.”
Eric Smith: Van vleet will not play. Day to day.
Josh Lewenberg: Casey says VanVleet won't be out long. "He feels so much better today, without pain. We don't expect it to be a long-term thing"
Josh Lewenberg: Casey says X-rays on VanVleet's right shoulder came back clean but he's still sore, calls him day-to-day. Unsure about his status for Saturday's Game 1.
Josh Lewenberg: Casey said VanVleet could have played if they needed him, so precautionary thing with a tight back. Bebe will have tests done on his hamstring.
Doug Smith: Fred VanVleet's back is tight, he's done; Raptors down to 8 for the second half.
