After the Raptors beat the Timberwolves, 109-104, on Tuesday night, Fred VanVleet confirmed he had played on only a couple hours sleep. He’d come from the hospital, arriving just an hour or so before the game, after the birth of his daughter. That VanVleet managed to play at all is impressive; that he played well — contributing a clutch assist on a game-sealing cut and tear drop shot from DeMar DeRozan, and then boxing out the giant Karl-Anthony Towns on a long rebound — is downright amazing.
In this fun and good season of Raptors basketball, it wasn’t even the most heartwarming or remarkable story of the night.