Last September, NBA Championship Fred VanVleet suffered a right ACL and meniscus during an intense team scrimmage at an offseason training retreat in the Bahamas in September 2025, Rockets Wire’s Ben DuBose.
He would later undergo surgery and typically the recovery process following an ACL injury is nine or more months. It could take longer if they’re setback during the rehab process. When Vanvleet was made available to speak with the media last season, he emphasized that there was no timetable for his return.
“No timeline. I finally ditched crutches after a couple weeks, and that was a big moment for me. Just being able to walk around and move around freely. But, I’m just taking it slow, and day by day. It’s definitely a week-by-week thing, and we’ll see where we’re at by the end of the year,” said VanVleet.
“I’m chipping away at rehab every day, focusing on getting better, and ultimately planning towards a return.
It’s really slow right now, and it’s tough to be out. I know how much work I put in, and I know my role and what I mean to this team. The worst part is not being out there with the guys, and not being able to contribute, right now.”
Fast forward a year later, he is already cleared to participate in five-on-five drills and competition according to Rockets head coach, which he shared during his media available on Rockets Media Day.
‘We'll see what the percentage is once we get going. He's been able to do back-to-backs and live competition, all that. In the last month he really ramped it up, so we'll see what it is as far as that, but we'll be cautious as well, smart about it,” said Udoka.
“My initial [thought] would be no on the back-to-backs going into it, just from a health standpoint, and get him up to speed. But he's doing everything, fully cleared, and has looked really good lately.”
In a follow-up question Ime was asked if VanVleet has been doing five on fives and he's like full go right now?
He replied, “Yes.”
Of course, when it was time for VanVleet to speak, he was asked to give an update on his health and how he was feeling directly.
"I'm enjoying every aspect of it. I'm even enjoying media day," VanVleet said. "I'm happy I have a whole newfound perspective on this whole thing that we do here that we call a job and life in general. I'm just really grateful and excited to get back out there on the court."
"I never had a real injury before, but I definitely felt the pain and severity of the moment. I was in denial. I didn't want to believe it. Looking back now, it was a life-changing moment… The organization knows what I bring to the table. My teammates know what I bring to the table," he continued.
He was later asked about finally getting the chance to play with Kevin Durant this season.
"Him and the rest of the guys, there's just a lot of new guys. If you think about it, I haven't really played with Reed. We talked about that this week,” VanVleet shared.
“So, we have a completely new group. I think what was lost in the shuffle last year was how new everything was, considering what we built the two years prior. I'm enjoying every aspect. I'm even enjoying media day, if you can believe that. I'm happy. I have a whole newfound perspective on this thing we do here that we call a job, and also just life in general. So, I'm just really grateful and excited to be able to get back out there on the court."
VanVleet added: “Kevin is probably, maybe all-time, the greatest plug-and-play guy you can find. He can play in any system, any court, any team in the world. It’s just about what the rest of the guys can do playing around him.”
The Rockets first two preseason games are against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 11, at The Venetian Arena in Macao.
