When Fred VanVleet suffered a knee injury before the regular season started, a Houston Rockets team that was supposed to be firmly ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers suddenly had a massive question mark at point guard. They have still been the better team thus far.
In the much tougher Western Conference, the Rockets enjoy a 22-11 record. That is good enough for a playoff spot. The Cavaliers have endured injury troubles of their own. They have fallen victim to them far worse, in terms of results, struggling to create a consistent identity in the process.
At this point of the season, the Rockets have proven themselves to be the much safer bet to push for a championship in 2026.