Thursday 14 February 2019 06:42, UK
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet had surgery to repair a partial ligament injury to his left thumb, the team announced Wednesday.
He will need to wear a splint for about three weeks, and the Raptors will update his condition after that.
Dr Michelle Carlson performed the procedure in New York.
Also on Wednesday, the Raptors, as expected, signed veteran guard Jeremy Lin for depth at the position.
They also announced that forward Kawhi Leonard would not play on Wednesday night against the visiting Washington Wizards due to a sore left knee.
VanVleet sustained ligament damage in his left thumb on Saturday in a game at the New York Knicks.
In 51 games this season (22 starts), VanVleet is averaging 10.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game.
He has scored in double figures 30 times this season, including a career-high 30 points in a 119-101 road win over Atlanta on February 7.
Undrafted after a standout career at Wichita State, VanVleet signed with the Raptors in July 2016.
Lin, 30, became a household name in 2012, when a short but prolific run with the New York Knicks sparked what became known as "Linsanity."
But since then, he played for Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte and Brooklyn before arriving in Atlanta in the offseason.
He and the Hawks agreed to a contract buyout earlier this week.
Lin, who began his career with the Golden State Warriors in 2010-11, was set to make his Toronto debut on Wednesday night.
With the Hawks, Lin averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game.
