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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
VanVleet (knee) is off the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Hawks.
VanVleet missed the second half of the team's back-to-back set Saturday as he continues to ease back into play following a torn ACL last season, but he will be available Monday. Through two appearances, VanVleet is averaging 10.0 points, 8.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.5 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per contest.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Officially ruled out Saturday
Rotowire
VanVleet (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
VanVleet will sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set due to right knee injury management, though he'll likely be able to return for Monday's rematch with Atlanta. In the meantime, Marcus Smart and Reed Sheppard (knee), who is listed as questionable, are candidates for increased burn. If Sheppard is also ruled out, Bruce Thornton could join the rotation.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Unlikey to play Saturday
Rotowire
VanVleet (rest) is unlikely to play in the second leg of the Rockets' back-to-back set Saturday against the Hawks.
Head coach Ime Udoku told reporters this past Tuesday that VanVleet would be sidelined for one leg of back-to-back sets to open the season, per Will Guillory of The Athletic. Since the Rockets played Friday, VanVleet figures to observe Saturday's contest in street clothes, so Marcus Smart will likely enter the starting lineup alongside Amen Thompson in the backcourt. VanVleet played 32 minutes during Friday's 114-110 win over the Spurs and finished with 14 points (4-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five assists, three rebounds and three steals.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Tallies 11 dimes in return
Rotowire
VanVleet closed with six points (2-8 FG, 2-6 3Pt), two rebounds, 11 assists, one block and three steals in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 128-110 win over the Mavericks.
VanVleet took charge of the offense, recording a game-high 11 assists, making a successful return after missing the entire 2025-26 season due to an ACL injury. Not surprisingly, VanVleet was relatively passive when it came to scoring the basketball, instead opting to prioritize his teammates. While he will almost certainly score more than six points on most nights, managers shouldn't expect him to be an above-average scorer. His value lies in assists and steals.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: To miss back-to-backs
Rotowire
VanVleet will sit out one game of back-to-back sets to open the season, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
This was mentioned several times during the offseason, and coach Ime Udoka confirmed that plan Tuesday. Whether or not these restrictions will stay in place for the whole season remains to be seen. Marcus Smart will start in the games that VanVleet takes off. The first back-to-back set begins Friday against the Spurs.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Won't face minutes restrictions
Rotowire
Head coach Ime Udoka said Sunday that VanVleet won't face any minutes restrictions to begin the regular season, though the team may exercise caution in back-to-back sets, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
VanVleet didn't play in 2025-26 due to a torn ACL, though he's set to return as Houston's starting point guard this season. The veteran floor general saw his numbers dip with the Rockets in 2024-25, when he averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 35.2 minutes per game across 60 regular-season appearances. While he's expected to play a sizable role in 2026-27, Amen Thompson could handle significant ballhandling duties, limiting VanVleet's upside.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Set to play Thursday
Rotowire
VanVleet (rest) is in line to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Thunder, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Thursday's exhibition is one last tune-up chance for the Rockets. The veteran floor general, who could be eased into regular-season action coming off a torn ACL, is expected to play around one half before handing things off to some of Houston's non-guaranteed rotation pieces.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Not expected to play Sunday
Rotowire
VanVleet (rest) isn't expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Mavericks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
VanVleet made his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury more than a year ago, finishing with 17 points (5-12 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven assists, two rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas. The veteran point guard will likely be limited throughout the 2026-27 season, but he's on track to be the starting point guard on Opening Night.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Productive in return
Rotowire
VanVleet finished with 17 points (5-12 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven assists, two rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas.
VanVleet made his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury more than 12 months ago. Despite the layoff, VanVleet looked good in his 24 minutes, providing the team with some much-needed guidance. Although there could be some limitations heading into the season proper, the fact that he played 24 minutes in what was basically a meaningless game bodes well for anyone willing to take a chance on him in drafts.
Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Could start season on minutes restriction
Rotowire
Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that VanVleet's minutes limit will be determined by how he progresses through training camp, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
VanVleet missed the 2025-26 campaign after tearing his ACL last September, though he's been cleared to practice in full and has been participating in five-on-five scrimmages. The veteran point guard may begin the season on a minutes limit, which would leave additional playing time available for the likes of Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart. Additionally, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rockets limit VanVleet in back-to-back sets, especially early in the season as he works his way back up to speed.
VanVleet (knee) has been cleared for full practice, coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic.
Udoka also said VanVleet has already been participating in five-on-five scrimmages, suggesting he's close to 100 percent after missing the entire 2025-26 season. Still, the point guard says his knee isn't back to where it was before the injury. Regardless, Fantasy managers can anticipate that VanVleet will miss one game of back-to-back sets based on Udoka's comments, at least early on in the season.
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Rockets' Fred VanVleet: Progressing in ACL rehab
Rotowire
Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that VanVleet (knee) is ramping up his rehab work, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
With VanVleet having missed the entire 2025-26 campaign after suffering a torn ACL late last offseason, it's encouraging to hear he's back on the court. The veteran point guard is almost a full calendar year removed from the surgery, so there's optimism he'll be ready for Opening Night in late October. His level of participation in training camp and the preseason remains a question mark, though.
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