Rockets' Fred VanVleet Returns After 535 Days Away, Back in the Starting Lineup at Home Against the Mavericks
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet returned from his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on October 21, reclaiming his spot in the starting lineup as the Rockets hosted the Dallas Mavericks at Toyota Center, after 535 days away from the court, ClutchPoints reported.
VanVleet suffered the ACL injury in the 2025 offseason and missed the entire 2025-26 season, in which the Rockets, led by Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, finished 52-30 and reached the playoffs before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. In his return, VanVleet started alongside Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, and at the 8:55 mark of the opening quarter he hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 5-5, his first basket back. As of the report, with the game in the second quarter, VanVleet had three points, three assists and one steal.
Head coach Ime Udoka is expected to ease VanVleet back slowly until he regains his form. The one-time NBA champion gives Houston an experienced floor general, and his return is seen as key to the Rockets' push for a deep playoff run and a possible first conference finals appearance since 2018.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Fred VanVleet 本人照，摄于2022年2月19日 NBA 全明星周末期间，当时效力于多伦多猛龙队（猛龙时期照片）。图片来源：Erik Drost／Wikimedia Commons。
