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UPDATE: Jan 18, 6:55 p.m. — VanVleet will return Saturday evening, as expected. He play more limited minutes, going in 7-8 minute stretches capped somewhere 25-28 minutes.
Nick Nurse says Fred VanVleet will play 7-8 minute stretches tonight, probably capped around 25-28 minutes
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) January 18, 2020
UPDATE: Jan. 17, 5:25 p.m. — VanVleet is out Friday vs. the Wizards, but plans to return to the lineup Saturday vs. the Timberwolves.
VanVleet is out again tonight, but he's planning to play tomorrow.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 17, 2020
UPDATE: Jan. 16, 5:37 p.m. — VanVleet is being listed as questionable for Friday’s game vs. the Washington Wizards on the 5:30 p.m. NBA Injury Report on Thursday.
So FVV is the final missing piece in the Raptors injury puzzle. Norman Powell, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol are all back in the lineup. Toronto went big in the game Wednesday against the Thunder, starting OG Anunoby, Siakam, Gasol, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. That should change with VanVleet back. We’ll see if he’s on a restriction or not.
UPDATE: Jan. 8, 1:35 p.m. — VanVleet is being listed as out for Wednesday’s game vs. the Charlotte Hornets.
Fred VanVleet is listed as out, Norman Powell doubtful again tonight. Ponds back with 905, otherwise same stuff.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) January 8, 2020
UPDATE: Jan. 7, 5:26 p.m. — VanVleet is expected to miss extended time, Raptors coach Nick Nurse confirmed to reporters Tuesday evening.
Sounds like VanVleet's hamstring injury is more serious than just a 1-game, day-to-day thing. Nurse indicates it could be "a little while".
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 7, 2020
This is more bad news for Toronto, which has already been without Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell for nearly a month now. VanVleet joins them on the sidelines, though Powell has a shot at returning to the lineup soon it seems. With FVV sidelined for the near future, Kyle Lowry is going to be tasked with carrying the offense. Matt Thomas is confirmed back in the lineup Tuesday vs. the Blazers as well. So we could see Thomas eat up some minutes at shooting guard.
UPDATE: Jan. 6, 5:44 p.m. — VanVleet is now being listed as out for Tuesday vs. the Blazers. Norman Powell is on the injury report as doubtful, which is actually an upgrade for him considering the time he’s missed due to a shoulder injury.
UPDATE: Jan. 6, 12:39 p.m. — Well that was a quick update. Apparently VanVleet is actually doubtful vs. the Blazers.
VanVleet (hamstring) is actually listed as doubtful for tomorrow.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 6, 2020
Toronto Raptors G Fred VanVleet is questionable to play Tuesday vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.
Serge Ibaka is fine after tweaking his ankle in Saturday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. VanVleet dominated the Nets in that game, scoring 29 points with 11 assists in 36 minutes. Ibaka scored 21 points with 12 rebounds in 28 minutes against Brooklyn, finishing the game despite the ankle scare.
Fantasy Basketball Analysis: Toronto Raptors G Fred VanVleet
If VanVleet sits, Kyle Lowry is a very appealing all-around play in this matchup on Tuesday’s slate. I’d argue Lowry would be a top cash-game option and GPP play given the type of ceiling he has. He’d be in line for nearly 40 minutes with no FVV and his usage would be sky-high. Lowry played 43 minutes against the Nets with VanVleet healthy, scoring 26 points.
Ibaka seems fine, though I’d be a bit cautious. The Raptors are capable of blowing out the Blazers and we could see coach Nick Nurse opt to rest Ibaka late in the game. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris Boucher would likely pick up additional minutes off the bench.