Neither the Houston Rockets nor Fred VanVleet (torn ACL in right knee) have officially ruled out the veteran point guard for the 2025-26 season, but time isn’t on their side.
With the start of the NBA’s 2026 playoffs less than a month away, it doesn’t appear that anything is imminent. And that’s a problem for any potential return this season, since VanVleet would almost certainly need an extended period of physically ramping up before playing in meaningful games.
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Prior to Monday’s game in Chicago, head coach Ime Udoka was asked for an update on VanVleet and his current activity levels.
Udoka replied (via Dave Hardisty, ClutchFans)
Shooting, cutting, moving, non-contact (drills). That’s pretty much the extent of the on-court. Right around the six-month mark, you can start to ramp up things. But, no contact at any point soon, or nothing we’re looking forward to, honestly.
Obviously, you’re not looking at playing if you’re not getting on the court and (going through) contact, this late in the season.
The 2026 Western Conference playoffs will begin in mid-April, approximately seven months after VanVleet’s September 2025 injury. That’s much faster than the average timeline to return to NBA games after ACL surgery, which typically takes at least nine months.
Houston (43-27) is currently at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, which puts the Rockets in line to have home-court advantage in at least the first round of the postseason.
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With VanVleet unavailable, rising stars Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard have taken on the vast majority of ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities for the Rockets.
If he does not play this season, VanVleet is expected to be fully cleared by the time training camp for the 2026-27 season opens in late September.
Over his two playing seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) with the Rockets, VanVleet averaged 15.9 points (36.9% on 3-pointers), 6.9 assists, and only 1.7 turnovers per game as Houston’s starting point guard. He’s also well regarded for his abilities on defense and as a leader.
More: Injured Rockets guard Fred VanVleet still not ruling out 2025-26 return
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets acknowledge that Fred VanVleet’s return is unlikely this season