"My Body Finally Just Tapped Out": Raptors' Star Officially OUT For Game 5

Saying "my body finally just tapped out," Fred VanVleet sadly acknowledged at practice Monday morning that he will not be able to play in Game 5 of the Toronto Raptors/Philadelphia 76ers series Monday night, as the Raptors attempt once again to stave off elimination. VanVleet suffered a hip flexor strain in Game 4. 

"It’s still something (positive) I’ve gotta find about just laying it on the line for your teammates, for your brothers in the locker room, knowing you’re not 100. My body finally just tapped out.” - VanVleet

— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) April 25, 2022

"I was able to get an MRI — nothing too major, but... just take it day-by-day," said VanVleet.

The All-Star point guard suffered the hip flexor strain after having played with a bad knee for the past couple of months; his inability to play up to his standards was evident through the first 4 games of the series. 

Not only will he miss Game 5, VanVleet isn't even sure he'd be able to play a Game 6, if Toronto can extend the series. 

“I’m always going to leave that window open, it’s not one of those things where I’m out for four weeks,” he said. “It’ll probably take some time. Hopefully we can extend this thing and I would feel great about maybe playing in the next round.”

In the meantime, VanVleet will continue to be a leader on the bench. "Sit over here, talk trash, keep the guys level-headed, give them pointers here and there, and join the coaching staff as I've done in the past."