The Toronto Raptors might have made some fun, interesting moves over the last few days given the signing of Freddie Gillespie and expected addition of former Magic big man Khem Birch, but Fred VanVleet, DeAndre’ Bembry, and the rest of the squad will only have a handful of players active for their game against the Chicago Bulls tonight.
In addition to injury woes, OG Anunoby and several members of the Los Angeles Lakers, including Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell, got into a major scuffle during LA’s dominant win. VanVleet and Bembry left the bench during this altercation in order to support their teammate.
Unfortunately, leaving the bench to partake in a fight flies in the face of the NBA’s player conduct policy, and these two Raptors backcourt mates were disciplined as such for what the league saw as an insubordinate act.
Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that along with Laker reserve Talen Horton-Tucker, VanVleet and Bembry were suspended one game each for their role in this altercation. Anunoby was fined $30,000 for his involvement in the fight, while Harrell earned himself a $20,000 deduction.
Along with Fred VanVleet, DeAndre‘ Bembry and Talen Horton-Tucker suspended one game for leaving bench, OG Anunoby ($30,000) and Montrezl Harrell ($20,000) have been fined for role in Lakers-Raptors altercation this week.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2021
Blake Murphy of The Athletic is reporting that VanVleet’s suspension will take effect when he returns from injury.
Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet and DeAndre’ Bembry got suspended
VanVleet has been his usual, excellent self this season, but he is currently on the mend, as a hip flexor injury has sidelined him for the last few games. After this latest setback, it appears that fans will have to wait a bit longer to see him back in action.
Bembry has been proving his worth as a ball-handler and efficient finisher off of the bench this season. A former first-round pick looking to rehabilitate his career after a poor stint with the Atlanta Hawks, Bembry is averaging 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game while converting on 53% of his shot attempts. He’s not setting the world on fire, but he’s producing.
The Raptors were already not playing with a full deck, as the VanVleet injury, Kyle Lowry’s foot infection, and Paul Watson’s continued absence due to the health and safety protocols mean that they were barely able to field the minimum amount of players. With their three best backcourt options and rookie Jalen Harris all out, Malachi Flynn will have his hands full.
The Raptors will be without seven players for their game against the Bulls tonight, as injuries and suspensions have ravaged the depth on this team. Toronto’s season from hell keeps getting unluckier, as even mild-mannered players like VanVleet and Bembry have been suspended.