Is Fred VanVleet playing? NBA pro suffers ruptured ACL, dealing a major blow to Houston Rockets’ 2025–26 championship hopes

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday that Houston Rockets' star point guard, Fred VanVleet, suffered an ACL tear, seriously jeopardizing his availability for the 2025-26 season. The type and timing of VanVleet's injury are still unknown.

In the meantime, VanVleet inked a two-year, $50 million agreement with a player option for the 2026-2027 season with the Rockets immediately after the team failed to exercise his $44.9 million team option for this season.

Houston Rockets’ winning streaks take a hit as Fred VanVleet faces season-ending ACL injury

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, veteran Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has reportedly suffered a ruptured ACL and may miss the 2025-26 season. Hence, the team will be without a major player as they attempt to get in shape after an active off-season. Announcing the news, Charania wrote on X: “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…”Houston brought back VanVleet and had a busy offseason. To complement the signing of free agents Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, and Steven Adams, the Rockets also got their hands on star forward Kevin Durant via trade.

During his two seasons with Houston, one-time All-Star and former NBA champion VanVleet has orchestrated the Rockets' rebuilding from lottery club to playoff contender.

This previous off-season, VanVleet, 31, agreed to a two-year, $50 million contract to remain with the Rockets. A player option for the 2026–2027 campaign is part of the agreement. As Houston's starting point guard the previous season, VanVleet averaged 14.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds.

After agreeing to a three-year contract with the team in the summer of 2023, VanVleet was a perfect match. Additionally, in his first season, he helped Houston go from 22 victories to 41. The Rockets then ended a four-year postseason drought last season by winning 52 games to secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Fred VanVleet’s injury derails Rockets’ plans to build around Durant for 2025-26 season

The veteran of the Toronto Raptors signed a three-year, $128 million contract with Houston during the 2023 summer. This off-season, the former Toronto Raptor was supposed to join a core team that also included superstar Kevin Durant.

They acquired the future Hall of Famer by trading away guard Jalen Green, wing Dillon Brooks, a 2025 first-round pick, and five second-round selections.

VanVleet's career will be in its 10th season during the 2025–2026. Spending 7 seasons with Toronto, the undrafted free agent developed into a lock-down defensive guard and a fan favorite floor general. VanVleet led the team in 3-point attempts per game this season. He is a tough defender and excels on offense through playmaking and hitting a lot of 3-pointers.Also read: Retired but never done: John Wall announces NBA retirement after 11 seasons with Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers