Report: Rockets' VanVleet suffers torn ACL

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

VanVleet's injury occurred during a recent team minicamp in the Bahamas, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. He'll reportedly undergo surgery this week.

The 31-year-old is now at risk of missing the 2025-26 season. He was expected to play a significant role for Houston following its marquee offseason addition of Kevin Durant.

Without VanVleet, the Rockets don't have a proven option at point guard. Last year's No. 3 pick, Reed Sheppard, started just three of his 52 games as a rookie, averaging 4.4 points and 1.4 assists in 12.6 minutes. Forward Amen Thompson told Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix that he spent this summer training as a lead guard, but the 22-year-old hasn't operated in that role over an entire NBA season. Houston's secondary ball-handler last season, Jalen Green, was sent to the Phoenix Suns in the Durant trade.

VanVleet averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists in 60 starts last season, his second with the Rockets. He missed 11 games in February with a sprained ankle, then missed another five games after re-aggravating the injury in his March 1 return. However, he was one of Ime Udoka's most important players in Houston's first-round series against the Golden State Warriors; VanVleet was the team's second-leading scorer at 18.7 points per game while adding 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds, helping the Rockets take the Warriors to seven games.

The one-time All-Star and former NBA champion re-signed with the franchise this summer on a two-year, $50-million pact that includes a $25-million player option for 2026-27.