Neither the Houston Rockets nor Fred VanVleet (torn ACL in right knee) have officially ruled out the veteran point guard missing the 2025-26 season, but time is not on their side.
With less than a month until the start of the NBA’s 2026 playoffs, it doesn’t look like anything is imminent just yet. That’s a problem for any potential return this season, as VanVleet will almost certainly need an extended period of conditioning before he can play in meaningful games.
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Before Monday’s game in Chicago, head coach Ime Udoka was asked for an update on VanVleet and his current activity level.
Udoka replied (Dave Hardisty from ClutchFans)
Shoot, cut, move, non-contact (drill). That’s pretty much the extent of the field. After about six months, you can start to increase your intensity. But, to be honest, there won’t be any contact anytime soon, or we don’t expect anything.
Obviously, if you’re not out there and (making) contact late in the season, you’re not going to be considered for the game.
The 2026 Western Conference playoffs will begin in mid-April, roughly seven months after VanVleet suffered an injury in September 2025. That’s much faster than the average time to return to NBA play after ACL surgery, which typically takes at least nine months.
Houston (43-27) currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, giving the Rockets home-court advantage at least in the first round of the playoffs.
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With VanVleet unavailable, rising stars Amen Thompson and Reid Shepard shouldered the vast majority of the Rockets’ ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities.
If he doesn’t play this season, VanVleet is expected to be fully recovered by the start of training camp for the 2026-27 season in late September.
In two seasons with the Rockets (2023-24 and 2024-25), VanVleet served as the Rockets’ starting point guard, averaging 15.9 points (36.9% three-point shooting), 6.9 assists, and only 1.7 turnovers per game. He was also highly regarded for his defensive prowess and leadership.
More: Injured Rockets guard Fred VanVleet still won’t rule out return for 2025-26 season
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets admit Fred VanVleet unlikely to return this season