A few days ago, the Toronto Raptors were left for dead in the NBA playoffs. They had lost the first three games of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers and on the verge of being swept. However, they have flipped the script in the last two games, suddenly making this a series.

However, if they want to force a Game 7, they will have to do so without All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, VanVleet has been ruled out of Game 6 with a left hip flexor-strain.

Incredibly, VanVleet is the sixth current NBA All-Star to miss a game in these playoffs already. The Raptors were able to survive Game 5 without him in Philadelphia. Now they head back home Thursday night in Toronto.

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Raptors News
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković reacts during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
Raptors rumors: No. 9 pick ‘most likely’ among top-10 picks to be tradedBenedetto Vitale ·
Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
NBA rumors: Insider labels $107 million Raptors star as best ‘sneaky trade target’Troy Finnegan ·
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
RUMOR: What Jake Fischer is hearing about Kevin Durant trade pursuitAlex House ·
image thumbnail
Kon Knueppel turns heads with shocking NBA draft testing resultsErik Slater ·
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) drives toward the basket against Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) in the first half at Scotiabank Arena.
Raptors rumors: Insider reveals Toronto is willing to ‘gamble’ on Kevin DurantJulian Ojeda ·
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) is greeted by team mates during player introductions before tip off against the Charlotte Hornets at Scotiabank Arena. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Scottie Barnes responds to P.K. Subban’s bold NBA, NHL claimJake Faigus ·

Much of the talk in this series has suddenly shifted to the Sixers and their coach Doc Rivers. Rivers is the only coach in NBA history to be head coach of a team that blew a 3-1 series lead three times. He is trying to avoid becoming the only coach ever to blow a 3-0 series lead.

Before that can possibly happen though, the Raptors need to win at home Thursday. If they win Game 6, they will become only the fourth team in the history of the NBA to even force a Game 7 when trailing a series 3-0.

History is not on Toronto's side, nor is this injury to VanVleet. However, Sixers star Joel Embiid is still dealing with a torn ligament in his shooting thumb. Sixers' defensive stalwart Matisse Thybulle is also ineligible to play Game 6 because his vaccination status does not allow him to enter Canada.