Jan 25, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) defends against Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images David Richard-Imagn Images

Rockets Get Good Injury News on Fred VanVleet

Originally posted on Houston Rockets on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Mar 9, 2025 1:30 PM ET

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet has only played in one game since the start of February as he has been dealing with an ankle injury, but his time on the sidelines could soon be coming to an end.

According to Houston Chronicle reporter Sam Warren, the Rockets could look to get VanVleet back sometime within the next few games.

#Rockets HC Ime Udoka said Fred Van Vleet's ankle injury isn't the same as the one that cost him 11-straight games in February but that it "probably shook up the same ankle."

Said his timeline more about pain tolerance and has been getting good work in. Status is game-to-game.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren_3) March 8, 2025

This could open the door for VanVleet to make his return when the Rockets host the Orlando Magic for their next game.

The return couldn't come at a better time for the Rockets considering rookie Reed Sheppard has fractured his thumb while Amen Thompson left the team's previous game against the New Orleans Pelicans and is scheduled to undergo an MRI.

The Rockets have struggled without VanVleet in the lineup, and the record shows. The Rockets are only 7-10 since VanVleet first sat out on Feb. 1, and all but two of those wins came against teams that are currently in the lottery.

With VanVleet back in the lineup, the Rockets will be able to play a much more fluid style of basketball, and he can set the tone and put other players in a position to succeed.

VanVleet will be a game-time decision when the Rockets take on the Magic tomorrow at 7 p.m. CT.

This article first appeared on Houston Rockets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: