Overview
- Fred VanVleet tore his ACL in September and will miss the entire 2025–26 season.
- Coach Ime Udoka said Houston will "double down on bully ball," with a jumbo starting five debuting Tuesday night in Oklahoma City, per CBS Sports.
- Amen Thompson and second-year guard Reed Sheppard are being tasked with primary ball-handling despite limited experience.
- Tracy McGrady said on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast that, as constructed without VanVleet, the Rockets project as a second-round team.
- Speculative trade ideas are circulating, including a proposal reported by Heavy that would send Coby White to Houston for Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason.