Raptors hope Vanvleet returns against Magic

When the Orlando Magic visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday night in Tampa, Fla., they could be dealing with the return to action of Toronto's Fred Vanvleet, who had a career night against them the last time the teams met.

Vanvleet scored a Raptors franchise-record 54 points while sinking 11 3-pointers in a 123-108 victory over the Magic on Feb. 2.

The guard has been out since April 5 with a left hip flexor injury, missing seven games.

Vanvleet could return Friday, however, after serving a one-game suspension on Wednesday when the Raptors defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs 117112. The suspension was for him coming off the bench to participate in an altercation between the Raptors and the Los Angeles Lakers on April 6.

Asked if serving the suspension meant Vanvleet was ready to return, Raptors coach Nick Nurse said, “I would assume so, yeah.”

When it happened, the injury did not appear severe.

“Then they had to take a second MRI and didn't like what they saw,” Nurse said. “I can only go with what the medical people tell me. Now they tell me he's ready to go. So I'll play him as soon as I can.”

The Raptors also were without Kyle Lowry (rest), Deandre' Bembry (hamstring) and Gary Trent Jr. (ankle) against the Spurs.

The Magic are coming off a 115-106 victory over the host Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. With James Ennis scoring 22 points, the Magic snapped a six-game losing streak.

The Magic waived centre Khem Birch on April 8 and he now is with the Raptors, getting 14 points and six rebounds as a starter on Wednesday.

The Raptors used Birch and another newcomer, Freddie Gillespie, at centre in a victory that was needed to keep playoff hopes alive. Gillespie had nine points and eight rebounds, Pascal Siakam had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and OG Anunoby had 22 points.

“They were organized at both ends,” Nurse said. “If we didn't have something, we'd just go right to the next thing, and (if) that wasn't there, we'd go right to the next thing.”