Former Raptors Star To Miss Homecoming in Toronto
Fred VanVleet's much-anticipated return to Toronto will have to wait.
The former Toronto Raptors guard will reportedly miss at least the next four games with a strained left adductor, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
VanVleet had been scheduled to make his return to Toronto on Friday for the first time since he left the Raptors this past summer. That's expected to be the second game of this four-game stretch the Rockets will have to make do without their lead guard.
The 29-year-old guard has played a huge part in helping to revitalize the Rockets this season, averaging 16.5 points and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 40.9% from the floor and 37.4% from behind the arc. Houston has already surpassed their win total from last season and looks to be on their way to becoming a respectable team in the Western Conference.
The Raptors did face off against VanVleet and the Rockets once earlier this month in a 135-106 beatdown of Toronto in which VanVleet scored 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting in 25 minutes.
It's unclear if VanVleet will return home to Houston, but he may make the trip to Toronto as the Rockets are currently on a three-game road trip. The Raptors organization could still honor VanVleet in his return even if he does not play Friday.
For the Rockets, it likely means rookie Amen Thompson will be bumped into the starting lineup to replace the injured VanVleet. Thompson is averaging 6.8 points, 2.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8% from the field.
