Raptors outlast Clippers in Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby's return

Author Photo
Kyle Irving
and others
• 4 min read
VanVleet-FTR

The Toronto Raptors weren't quite at full strength yet but with Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby back in the lineup after clearing the league's health and safety protocols, it was enough to come away with a win.

Behind 31 points and nine assists from VanVleet, a dominant 25 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists from Pascal Siakam and 26 points and four steals from Anunoby, the Raptors' Big 3 put on a show to defeat the Clippers 116-108.

In the first game at Scotiabank Arena without fans, Serge Ibaka's return was spoiled a bit, but the organization still had a tribute for the former NBA champion Raptor.


For more on the contest and VanVleet and Anunoby's return, we have you covered below.

Fred VanVleet takes over in the clutch

The Raptors guard's career year was put on hold for two games as he sat out in the league's health and safety protocols. In his first game back, VanVleet continued to do what he does best, pacing Toronto's offence while providing some stability in times of need.

It wasn't the finest of starts as VanVleet went 4-for-12 from the field and 1-for-7 from 3-point range in the first half, but he really started to get going in the third quarter to help keep the Raptors in the game. VanVleet scored 11 points in the third quarter alone, attacking the basket to get to the free throw line while also finding a rhythm with his jumper.



In the fouth quarter, VanVleet took matters into his own hands, running a two-man punch alongside star forward Pascal Siakam. First, he dished a pick-and-roll dime to Siakam for an easy bucket during clutch time...


... then VanVleet closed out the game with a bucket in isolation, followed by a dagger 3-ball off of an assist from Siakam. He finished with 31 points and nine assists, completely taking over to win the game.

VanVleet is flirting with the first All-Star bid of his career, averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from 3. His points, rebounds and assist averages are all career-highs, as is his field goal percentage. His 3-point percentage is the second-best mark of his career, but he's taking double the attempts of his previous career-high (3.4 3PA in 2018, 41.4%).

You can vote VanVleet into the All-Star Game here.

OG Anunoby's two-way presence on display

Anunoby's return was long-awaited. The rising star missed 13 games due to a hip injury, then returned to action briefly on Dec. 18 against the Golden State Warriors before he was placed in the league's health and safety protocols, forcing him to miss two more contests.

Anunoby was loud in his first game back, making plays on both ends of the floor the way we're so used to seeing from the two-way star. His jump shot was still pure, going 3-for-7 from deep and he had a few classic Anunoby plays on defence, including a nicely anticipated steal for a breakaway dunk.


His play may have been overshadowed by the way VanVleet and Siakam closed out the game, but Anunoby finished with 26 points, six rebounds and four steals. He played 36 minutes in his first game back, and looked gassed at times, but the Raptors already looked more well-rounded as a team because of the presence OG has in leading the defence and knocking down big shots on offence.

Why didn't Scottie Barnes play?

The Raptors star rookie forward also cleared health and safety protocols at the same time as VanVleet and Anunoby, but he was ruled out for this contest due to knee tendinitis.

His next chance to play will come on Sunday, Jan. 2 when the Raptors host the New York Knicks at 3:30 p.m.

The views on this page do not necessarily represent the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)
Kyle Irving Photo
Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.