Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet out for Game 5 with strained hip flexor; unsure of return in series vs. Philadelphia 76ers

PHILADELPHIA — The Toronto Raptors will be without All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet for Game 5 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers — and likely longer — with a left hip flexor strain.

«You can stop holding your breath,» VanVleet said with a wry smile after plopping himself down into a courtside seat here at Wells Fargo Center prior to Toronto's shootaround Monday morning. «I'm out tonight. I was able to get an MRI… nothing too major, but definitely showing just a hip flexor strain.

»So I'll be out tonight, kind of take it day by day and go from there."

When asked if he would be able to return in Game 6, VanVleet, who said the injury occurred when he made a defensive slide in the first quarter of Game 4, sounded pessimistic, instead saying he'd feel «great» about being back for the start of a potential Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The only problem with that? Toronto enters Game 5 down 3-1 in the series, and having been down 3-0 before winning Game 4 — a deficit no team has overcome in NBA history.

«I don't know. I really don't know,» VanVleet said of his potential status for Game 6. «I'm always gonna leave that window open. You know, it's not one of those things where I'm out for four weeks. Probably take some time. Hopefully we can extend this thing and I would be feeling great about maybe playing in next round.

»I know nobody believes we can [win this series], but I think we can. So I will feel good about that. But I'm gonna stay positive and get as much rehab as I can and recovery and take a day at a time."

VanVleet was clearly hobbling throughout the first half of Saturday afternoon's Game 4 before he committed a take foul with 4:57 to go in the second quarter, ripped his jersey in