Fred VanVleet suffers potential season-ending injury

One of the Houston Rockets’ most important players may have had his 2025-26 season end before it could even begin.

Rockets guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL and will have surgery this week, according to multiple reports. Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reported that the 31-year-old guard suffered the injury during a recent team minicamp in the Bahamas.

Shams Charania of ESPN added that the injury is likely to sideline VanVleet for the entire season.

The injury serves as a devastating blow to the Rockets, who have serious hopes of being a contender this season. VanVleet was set to serve as the team’s starting point guard and primary ballhandler, putting him in charge of distribution to newly-acquired Kevin Durant and breakout star Alperen Sengun.

VanVleet originally signed with the Rockets in 2023, and agreed to a new 2-year, $50 million contract earlier this offseason. One has to wonder if he and Durant will even get the chance to play together, as Durant is on an expiring contract and is not necessarily guaranteed to re-sign with Houston.

VanVleet played in 60 games for Houston last season. The former NBA champion averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists per game, which represented the worst statistical season during his career as a full-time starter.