Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet listed as out Monday vs. Jazz

The Toronto Raptors are listing both C Marc Gasol and G Fred VanVleet as out for Monday night’s game vs. the Utah Jazz. Gasol returned from a hamstring injury on Sunday, playing just 16 minutes off the bench. VanVleet has missed the past five games due to a shoulder injury and isn’t going to be back on Monday night.

The Raptors sealed up a playoff berth last week and are holding a decent cushion for the No. 2 seed in the East. It’s in their best interest to be healthy for the playoffs and I imagine this trend of resting players will continue. There’s no reason to stretch Gasol out too early. With Gasol back on the sideline, that means more Serge Ibaka and OG Anunoby, but it’s unclear what type of rotation we’ll see. Nick Nurse went with a short one against the Kings on Sunday night. That could limit the upside of bench contributors like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris Boucher.