Houston, we have a problem.
Rockets starting point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL and could miss the entire 2025-26 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported Monday.
Just in: Houston Rockets' Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, sources tell ESPN. A devastating, potentially season-ending loss for the Rockets with their starting point guard and leader. pic.twitter.com/Qhf0V58DwR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2025
The injury transpired at a recent offseason workout, Charania added.
Because of Houston’s tight cap space situation, it cannot fill its one open roster spot with a free agent due to being $1.25 million below the first apron, barring a trade.
Current available point guards on the market include Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and Cam Payne, among others.
It’s a significant blow for a Houston side that has hopes of rocketing into the top tier of the Western Conference following the addition of Kevin Durant alongside many young talents.
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But the 31-year-old VanVleet played an underrated two-way role on the team, ranking in the top three in assists, steals and 3-pointers made. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals on a 37.8/34.5/81 shooting split. Not having him available likely straps them in the tier below contending.
It was his second season with Houston following a seven-year run with the Toronto Raptors. He signed a two-year, $50 million extension in June, which includes a player option for next season.
If the Rockets opt for internal solutions, head coach Ime Udoka has 2018 first-round pick Aaron Holiday and 2024 No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard as the next men up.
Sheppard, a Kentucky product, played 52 games as a rookie but averaged just 12.6 minutes. In that time, he posted 4.4 points a game and 1.4 assists on a 35/33/81 shooting split on 4.6/2.7/0.3 volume.