Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet had surgery Wednesday to repair a partial ligament tear to his left thumb, the team announced.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson in New York City.
The Raptors had previously said VanVleet would miss at least three weeks because of the injury, which he suffered in the second quarter of Saturday’s win in New York, but the surgery could extend that timeline.
VanVleet is averaging 10.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds and has scored in double figures 30 times, including a career-high 30 points Feb. 7 at Atlanta. He averages 26.8 minutes off the bench in 51 games this season.
Jeremy Lin, who was signed by the Raptors on Wednesday, should immediately step into a key role in VanVleet’s absence.