Raptors Could Be Without All-Star For Game 5

It's been a rough playoff series this far for Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Fred VanVleet. And things just got worse. Already struggling from a sore knee that's slowed him down for the last couple of months, VanVleet left Saturday's Game 4 with a left hip flexor strain. He's been listed as "questionable" for Game 5 in Philly on Monday.

VanVleet exited the game in frustration, tearing his jersey as he left the floor.

Fred VanVleet was visibly upset and tore his jersey before leaving the game. pic.twitter.com/laZ5QGtx5U

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 23, 2022

Sports medicine doctor Ali Rendely says an injury like VanVleet's is usually treated with anti-inflammatories and rest. 

Hip flexor strains can include one or more muscles ranging from micro tears to severe strains. They will treat him with relative rest & anti inflammatories. He will be reevaluated to see how he moves on the court, and see if he can be explosive with adequate pain control. https://t.co/oEvR2RfNCF

— Ali Rendely, MD (@alirendely) April 24, 2022

VanVleet's knee issues had already held him to just 13.8 points, 6.3 assists and 33.3% from behind the arc through the first four games of the series, well down from his 20.3 points per game and 37.7% from distance during the regular season. 

Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports