Raptors Guard Fred VanVleet Expected to Be Out 'a Little While' With Hamstring Injury
By Brendan Balsamo
Fred VanVleet is the latest Toronto Raptor to be bit by the injury bug. Along with Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Norman Powell, and Dewan Hernandez, VanVleet is expected to be sidelined for an extended period of time.
The breakout guard is dealing with a hamstring injury, which Nick Nurse indicated would take "a little while" to recover from.
Nick Nurse says VanVleet's hamstring injury could take "a little while" to come back from, per @JLew1050 pic.twitter.com/63oVgmE3fB
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 7, 2020
With all the injuries that the Raptors have encountered this year, they currently look to be a shell of the team that won it all last season. After the loss of Kawhi Leonard via free agency over the summer, the outbreak of injuries has further battered down the reigning champs.
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
VanVleet was having a career year before going down. The former Wichita State standout was averaging 18.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, lining himself up for a big payday in free agency. The Raptors will have to pray for a quick recovery for VanVleet if they want to have any more success in the coming days, especially after losing four of their last seven games.
Currently 24-12, the Raptors will have to fight tooth and nail to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference.