Toronto Raptors All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry has been ruled out of the team’s Saturday night game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Raptors decided to sideline Kyle Lowry due to a back injury. No further details were provided about his injury, but reports suggest that Lowry’s back flared up earlier in the day.

https://twitter.com/joevardon/status/1069012602620137472

With Lowry out, Fred VanVleet has been named as a starter when Toronto takes the Cavs at Quicken Loans Arena.

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Lowry started the Raptors' first 23 games this season, averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 10.3 assists (career high) and 1.3 steals. He has been pivotal as Toronto remains unbeaten in their past seven matches.

VanVleet certainly has a huge hole to fill as he starts for the Raptors. He already started twice for the team, but this is the first time he’ll replace Lowry in the lineup. The 24-year-old guard is putting up 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists on a nightly basis.

Lowry’s injury came as a surprise, but it seems like the issue isn’t serious and the Raptors are just playing it safe. Not to mention that they are set to play the 4-17 Cavs who are bottom of the Eastern Conference and have lost three straight games already.