Houston’s plans for the new campaign have been jolted by difficult news. Fred VanVleet, the veteran point guard counted on to bring stability and leadership, has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and is expected to miss the majority, if not all, of the 2025–26 NBA season.
The injury, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, took place during an offseason mini-camp in the Bahamas. What should have been a routine preparation session has instead left the Rockets without one of their most reliable voices on the floor. VanVleet is scheduled to undergo surgery this week, according to reports from multiple outlets, including Yahoo’s Kelly Iko.
This loss could not have come at a more crucial time for Houston. After finishing the 2024–25 season with a 52–30 record, the second-best in the Western Conference, the Rockets entered the new year with heightened expectations. Their summer headline move was the acquisition of Kevin Durant, an addition that placed them firmly among the favorites to contend. VanVleet was expected to be the steady hand in the backcourt, orchestrating the offense and applying his trademark defensive pressure.
The 31-year-old guard had secured a two-year, 50 million dollar contract extension in June after a season that saw him average 14.1 points and a team-leading 5.6 assists. His shooting from beyond the arc dipped to 34.5 percent, but he remained a high-volume threat, attempting nearly eight threes per game. His competitive fire and defensive presence provided balance for a young roster on the rise.
The setback is particularly painful given VanVleet’s track record of stepping up in big moments. In the 2025 playoffs, he elevated his play during Houston’s first-round battle with Golden State, averaging 18.7 points per game and connecting on 43.5 percent of his attempts from three-point range. His 27 triples in that series were a reminder of his ability to influence outcomes when the stakes are highest.
The Rockets will now need to adjust quickly. Without VanVleet, much of the playmaking load is expected to fall on Amen Thompson and rookie Reed Sheppard. Both guards have potential, but neither has the same proven consistency that VanVleet offered.
For VanVleet himself, the road ahead is difficult but familiar. Since entering the league undrafted in 2016, he has forged a career defined by resilience and perseverance. An ACL tear is a serious challenge, but his reputation suggests he will confront it with the same determination that made him a champion in Toronto and a cornerstone in Houston.
As the season approaches, the Rockets must find answers on the court while hoping that their point guard recovers fully for the future. For now, the franchise’s championship aspirations have been dealt a sharp blow before the opening tip.
