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Fred VanVleet injury update: All-Star guard questionable for Game 5 with left hip flexor strain

Gilbert McGregor

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Fred VanVleet injury update: All-Star guard questionable for Game 5 with left hip flexor strain image

Raptors fans held their collective breath when All-Star guard Fred VanVleet exited the floor in the second quarter of Saturday's Game 4.

VanVleet, who has been bothered by nagging injuries, took a foul to be subbed out of the game and went straight to the locker room after exiting the floor.

Here is all we know about VanVleet's apparent injury.

What is Fred VanVleet's injury?

According to the Raptors, VanVleet exited the game with a left hip strain and did not return to Game 4. Ahead of Monday's Game 5, the team listed VanVleet as questionable with a left hip flexor strain.

In Game 4, the injury apparently happened on defense as VanVleet moved gingerly before not being able to get back on offense after the Raptors got a stop.

After a missed shot by the Raptors, VanVleet committed a foul to stop play and ripped his jersey out of frustration with the apparent injury.

After the game, head coach Nick Nurse said VanVleet's hip injury is "something new," and went on to talk about how he feels for the star guard's frustrations.

“He’s gonna play through a lot of bangs and bruises and bumps. … I’m sure it’s frustrating to him,” Nurse stated.

VanVleet is set to undergo further imaging on his strained left hip. Updates will be provided as they become available.

Raptors' upcoming schedule

With the Raptors trailing 3-1, they are facing elimination in every contest from here on out. Game 5 will head back to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

(All times Eastern)

Date Game Location Time TV channel
April 23 Game 4 Scotiabank Arena 2 p.m. Sportsnet
April 25 Game 5* Wells Fargo Center TBD Sportsnet
April 28 Game 6* Scotiabank Arena TBD TSN
April 30 Game 7* Wells Fargo Center TBD Sportsnet

*If necessary

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.