Raptors' Fred VanVleet suffers right knee contusion vs. 76ers

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet left Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers with a right knee contusion and did not return.

VanVleet headed to the locker room immediately with Raptors vice president of player health and performance Alex McKechnie.

After the game, VanVleet said that he bumped his knee during Thursday’s loss to the Houston Rockets and was on the fence about playing Sunday. He was pulled when it was determined that his knee didn’t respond well after some early action against Philadelphia.

VanVleet’s status for Monday’s game against the Chicago Bulls remains uncertain.

The 25-year-old has played his way into All-Star consideration this season, averaging 18.7 points, 7.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

It would be a crushing loss for the Raptors if VanVleet is out for an extended period of time, as he’s taken on a larger role running the offence while averaging 37.8 minutes per game.

After the game, VanVleet addressed the notion of other players on the Raptors stepping up in his absence, and how other teams have adjusted to the bench’s strong start to the season.

“That’s the thing about game plans: Other teams have ‘em, too,” VanVleet said.

Norman Powell will likely re-enter the starting lineup if VanVleet is ruled out Monday.

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