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Raptors' Fred VanVleet has surgery for partial tear in left thumb

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet had surgery Wednesday to repair a partial ligament tear in his left thumb, the team announced.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson in New York City.

The Raptors previously had 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 is averaging 26.8 minutes off the bench in 51 games this season.

Jeremy Lin, who was signed by the Raptors on Wednesday and is expected to play a key role off the bench in VanVleet's absence, had eight points, five rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes in a 129-120 win over the Washington Wizards.