The Houston Rockets are expected to be one of the leading contenders this NBA season, especially after landing perennial All Star Kevin Durant in a trade back in June.

However, the Rockets will, for at least most of the season, have to navigate the loaded Western conference without one of their key starters, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting that starting point guard Fred VanVleet has sustained a torn ACL injury.

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

Having initially joined Houston in 2023 from the Toronto Raptors, where he won an NBA Championship in 2019, Van Vleet had also signed a $50 million contract in June to stay in Texas for another two years, with the two year deal also coming with a player option for the 2026-2027 season.   

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VanVleet’s points per game average last season of 14.1 points was his lowest scoring average since 2018-2019. However, his leadership and veteran experience proved valuable in helping a young Rockets team record 52 wins enroute to reaching the playoffs for the first time in four years, where they lost in seven games in a first round matchup with the Golden State Warriors.

Alongside other veterans such as Durant and Steven Adams, head coach Ime Udoka would have hoped to also have the option to deploy VanVleet in another similar leadership role this season.

Having an experienced voice of reason on the court like VanVleet would have been handy for Houston’s young rising stars, such as Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, especially as the team looks to build on last year’s winning season and take the next step of going on a deep playoff run.

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