Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Fred VanVleet Ruled Out for Personal Reasons
The Toronto Raptors are going to have to wait a little longer to get back to full strength this year.
Everyone is healthy Thursday night, but Fred VanVleet has now been ruled out for personal reasons. It's the first time VanVleet has missed time for personal reasons this season.
Toronto will start O.G. Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and Jakob Poeltl against the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans will counter with Herbert Jones, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, Josh Richardson, and CJ McCollum.
The Raptors had thought they might be back at full strength Thursday with Anunoby and Thad Young back from injury and everyone save for Otto Porter Jr. ready to go. VanVleet hadn't been listed on the injury report until just half an hour before the game when he initially popped up as questionable.
VanVleet's absence gives Toronto a few more days to figure out exactly what the starting lineup will look like when everyone is healthy. The expectation was Trent would move to the bench but Raptors coach Nick Nurse wouldn't reveal his plan pre-game.
Expect Malachi Flynn to see some playing time as Toronto's top guard off the bench. He'll be joined by Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher in the second unit.
Further Reading
Nick Nurse explains what he wants from Scottie Barnes in new role alongside Jakob Poeltl
Raptors face another difficult playoff push with plenty of learning experiences from last season
Jakob Poeltl's offensive explosion vs Magic leads Raptors into much-needed break
