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Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet rips his jersey in frustration after suspected hip injury

VanVleet walked to the locker room and did not return when the second half started.

Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey dribbles the basketball against Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet during game three of the first-round Eastern Conference playoffs on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Toronto.
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey dribbles the basketball against Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet during game three of the first-round Eastern Conference playoffs on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Toronto.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Fred VanVleet suffered what appeared to be a hip strain and he knew something was wrong.

The Raptors were leading 45-36, in Game 4, with the Sixers holding a 3-0 series lead, when the incident took place in the second quarter.

The Toronto Raptors point guard and leader, who is typically a cool customer on the court, became so frustrated that he committed his second foul to stop play and ripped open the top of his jersey.

It was clear that VanVleet feared he would be forced out of Game 4 of the Raptors’ first-round series against the 76ers, as he immediately walked back to the locker room in the second quarter. He did not return to the floor to start the third quarter. VanVleet had totaled five points on 2-of-6 shooting, with three assists and two rebounds in 14 minutes.

It was later announced that VanVleet would not return for the remainder of the game, which the Raptors won, 110-102. The Sixers now lead the series, 3-1.