Raptors’ Fred VanVleet out with right knee contusion vs. Bulls

Alvin Williams sits down with Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet, who was treated like a king when he brought the NBA Championship Trophy home to Rockford, Illinois, and why he now considers Toronto his second home.

Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet will sit out the team’s game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday with a right knee contusion, the team announced.

VanVleet left Sunday’s 110-04 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with the injury. He said after the game that he was initially hurt during the Raptors’ defeat to the Houston Rockets last Thursday.

Raptors coach Nick Nurse told reporters Monday that VanVleet had an MRI on his knee and it did not show any structural issues.

The 25-year-old from Rockford, Ill., is experiencing some swelling, so the team is being cautious with his recovery.

Norm Powell is expected to start vs. the Bulls in place of VanVleet.

Through 21 games this season, the 25-year-old is averaging 18.7 points, 7.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

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