Overview
- NBA insider Marc Stein reports Houston is not completely ruling out Fred VanVleet playing later this season as he advances through ACL rehab.
- Stein says VanVleet has been working as hard as possible in recovery, and he recently traveled with the team to Dallas.
- VanVleet tore his ACL before the 2025-26 season and was initially expected to miss the entire campaign with no firm timetable announced.
- The Rockets are 21-11 with ball-handling shared by Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday and Kevin Durant, while Alperen Sengun has led in assists.
- A potential return could prompt the front office to reassess whether to trade assets for point-guard depth ahead of the deadline.