Toronto Raptors Guard Fred VanVleet Out for Game 5 vs Sixers
The Philadelphia Sixers will try to finish off their best-of-seven series against the Raptors on Monday at the Wells Fargo Center, but Toronto will be without a key piece for Game 5.
Guard Fred VanVleet announced he will not play in Game 5 due to a strained left hip flexor, suffered in the Game 4 victory over Philadelphia.
VanVleet was seen at the teams shootaround on Monday in Philadelphia and told reporters that he will miss Game 5, adding he's "not sure" he'd be available if the series extended to a Game 6 on Thursday.
VenVleet exited Game 4 of the series during the second quarter and did not return.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported that VanVleet could miss Game 6.
VanVleet is a key member of the Raptors offense, but has strugged in the series, scoring 13.7 points and has hit 12-of-36 shots from 3-point range (33%)..
It will be interesting to see who gets the start in place of VanVleet, with Scottie Barnes back after missing Game 2 and 3 with an ankle injury, he could return to the starting lineup. Malachi Flynn is also a candidate for minutes off-the-bench.
The Sixers lead the series 3-1 and will play Game 5 at 8 p.m. on Monday. Catch all the action on 97.3 ESPN South Jersey Sixers Station.
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