Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has reportedly suffered a potential ACL tear that could sideline him for the entire 2025-26 NBA season.
The New York Post reported Monday, Sept. 22, that early evaluations point to a significant knee injury for the 31-year-old veteran. The team has not yet confirmed the full extent of the damage, but an ACL tear would require surgery and extensive rehabilitation, typically keeping players off the court for 9–12 months.
VanVleet signed a lucrative deal with Houston in 2023 and was expected to anchor the backcourt alongside young guards Jalen Green and Amen Thompson. Last season he averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists over 78 games, providing leadership for a rebuilding roster that improved its win total by 14 games.
The Rockets have not announced a formal timetable for VanVleet’s recovery and are expected to conduct further medical tests this week to confirm the diagnosis.
Source: New York Post
