ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has unfortunately suffered a torn ACL. The timing and severity of the injury now put VanVleet's entire 2025-26 season in jeopardy.
Houston made a win-now move with the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade, putting them into that top tier of Western Conference contenders alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder and new-look Denver Nuggets. VanVleet had a relatively down season, but is a calming veteran presence who rose to the occasion in the playoffs when it mattered most, increasing his scoring by almost five points a game. This is a significant blow to Houston's title chances and could put them in a tier behind the juggernauts out west.