Raptors Fans Show Fred VanVleet Love as Rockets Win Matchup with Guard’s Former Team

zach bacharContributor IFebruary 3, 2024

Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

For the first time in his career, Fred VanVleet faced off against the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

VanVleet’s efficient night helped the Houston Rockets cruise to a 135-106 win over the Raptors, a team that he spent seven years with prior to the 2023-24 season. He was a crucial part of the rotation for several of Toronto’s playoff teams, averaging 14.0 points per game during the Raptors’ NBA Finals victory in 2019.

In 25 minutes on Friday, VanVleet scored 10 points and dished out six assists compared to just one turnover. He shot 57.1 percent from the field, hitting two of his four attempts from behind the arc.

Raptors fans applauded VanVleet for his time spent with the organization, while Rockets fans were impressed with his efficient night.

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets🚨 FVV beating the buzzer 🚨 pic.twitter.com/FYjinc7jhf

Sportsnet @SportsnetAll love for FVV. 🫂 pic.twitter.com/IrCkv86O1F

عمر عثمان 🇦🇫 Mike Tyson’s Translator @OmerOsman200Love him or hate him, you cannot deny the major contributions Fred VanVleet did for the Toronto Raptors franchise.

(side note: what is Dillon Brooks doing? lol) pic.twitter.com/Num3fRvUYz

Late stage capitalism hater @sarahrimmingtonI don’t care about all the Fred VanVleet haters on Raptors twitter. I have space in my heart for all the players past & present & the tears are flowing freely as the broadcast takes us down memory lane

Chris Walder @WalderSportsI never understood the Fred VanVleet hate. It got really bad his final season, but now that he’s in Houston, there’s nothing wrong with remembering the good times. https://t.co/RgotVXOonz

The Creole Crusader 🧛🏽‍♂️ @midrangejumpr2Vanvleet getting his shot back 🎯🎯 #Rockets

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_FeigenRockets 37, Raptors 23 after 1 as VanVleet beats the buzzer with a 3. Rockets 4 of 8 on 3s, were worst 3-point shooting team in the league in January. Shot 65.2 % in the first quarter.

H. @HaseebAFCMiss Vanvleet

The Rockets improved to 23-25 after the win as head coach Ime Udoka’s team attempts to re-enter the Play-In Tournament picture in the Western Conference. As for Toronto, the Raptors fell to 17-31 and have now lost eight of their last 10 games.