This probably isn't what Fred VanVleet had in mind for his return to Toronto.
Following seven unforgettable seasons with the Raptors, VanVleet left the franchise as an unrestricted free agent during the 2023 offseason, signing with the Rockets. Friday will mark VanVleet's first time back in Toronto to face his former team, but he won't play due to an injury.
VanVleet has already missed one game with a left adductor strain. The Rockets could be without him for a couple more weeks.
Here's the latest on VanVleet's injury and when he is expected to return.
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What is Fred VanVleet's injury?
The Rockets have listed VanVleet on the injury report with a left adductor strain.
VanVleet last played Feb. 4 when Houston lost to Minnesota by 21 points. He played 32 minutes that night, finishing with 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
Houston's three-point loss to Indiana on Feb. 6 was the first game VanVleet missed with the injury.
How long is Fred VanVleet out?
VanVleet will miss at least four games with his injury, according to Rockets head coach Ime Udoke.
“Probably around All-Star break,” Udoka said about when VanVleet could return. “We’ll see. Who knows if that’ll take into All-Star break or right before the break.”
VanVleet appeared in 47 of 50 games this season. He leads the Rockets with a career-best 8.2 assists per game and is third on the team in scoring with an average of 16.5 points on 37.4 percent shooting from 3.
The Rockets are 23-24 with VanVleet and 0-3 without him this season.
Rockets schedule 2023-24
Here are the remaining games on Houston's schedule before All-Star Weekend:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Feb. 9 | at Raptors | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 10 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 12 | vs. Knicks | 8 p.m. |
| Feb. 14 | at Grizzlies | 8 p.m. |
Fred VanVleet stats
2023-24 season
- 16.5 points per game
- 8.2 assists per game
- 3.7 rebounds per game
- 1.1 steals per game
- 1.0 blocks per game
- 1.6 turnovers per game
- 40.9 percent field goal shooting
- 37.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 85.9 percent free throw shooting
Career
- 14.8 points per game
- 5.6 assists per game
- 3.4 rebounds per game
- 1.3 steals per game
- 0.5 blocks per game
- 1.7 turnovers per game
- 40.3 percent field goal shooting
- 37.3 percent 3-point shooting
- 86.8 percent free throw shooting
