Skip to content

Report: VanVleet now expected to miss 5 weeks with thumb injury

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Fred VanVleet's absence will apparently be longer than first expected.

After the Toronto Raptors initially said VanVleet would miss at least three weeks due to a partial ligament injury in his left thumb, the guard is now expected to miss approximately five weeks, league sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

VanVleet, who's set to undergo surgery, is averaging career highs in points (10.5), assists (4.6), rebounds (2.7), and steals (0.9) per game through 51 appearances, including 22 starts.

For the Raptors, VanVleet's subtraction from the lineup will coincide with the addition of veteran guard Jeremy Lin, who intends to sign with Toronto after clearing waivers Wednesday afternoon. The 30-year-old Lin averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game for the rebuilding Atlanta Hawks this season.

The Raptors currently sit one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, boasting a 42-16 record heading into Wednesday's game against the visiting Washington Wizards.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox