Raptors’ Fred VanVleet to return from knee injury vs. Wizards

Evanka Osmak spoke with Michael Grange about the recent onslaught of Toronto Raptors injuries that includes Pascal Siakam.

Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since Dec. 8, will return to the starting lineup tonight against the Washington Wizards, head coach Nick Nurse announced.

VanVleet missed five consecutive games with what was described as a right knee contusion.

In 22 games played for the Raptors this season, the 25-year-old is averaging a career-high 18 points per game on 40.9 per cent shooting from the floor, as well as seven assists.

VanVleet’s return to the lineup comes amid a wave of Raptors injuries that have left the team shorthanded.

Marc Gasol suffered a strained hamstring in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons and, after being re-evaluated, was deemed out indefinitely.

Joining him indefinitely on the sidelines are both Pascal Siakam — who suffered a strained groin against the Pistons — and Norman Powell, who has a partially dislocated shoulder.

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