Fred VanVleet is closing in on a return, and Ime Udoka sounds eager to get him back in the mix.
The Rockets guard, who last played in the 2024-25 season before tearing his right ACL and meniscus during training last summer, has spent the past year working his way back. According to Udoka, that rehab process has picked up in recent weeks.
“It’s great; in the last month or so, he has really ramped it up in San Diego doing his rehab. He’s doing some back-to-backs, some contact, so when you get to that point, you get a little more excited, and I’m sure he is as well.”
Udoka said he understands exactly what VanVleet is going through.
“Me being a guy who’s had two ACL tears, I know there are these check marks that you have to check off. You can see him getting a little more excited as the season is starting up, but you can also see the ramp-up process with it,” Udoka said.
With the regular season less than 40 days away, VanVleet appears to be on track for an October return. That would be a welcome development for Houston, which missed his veteran presence and shooting last season while falling out of the first round without him and Kevin Durant available.
In his last NBA action during the 2024-25 season, VanVleet averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 38.4% from the field and 35.6% from three.
The Rockets also shared practice footage of VanVleet working his way back, and the reaction online was split.
“Oh yeah, everybody about to owe FVV an apology.”
“Locked in. 60 wins downloading.”
“Steady Freddy is back 🔥 Rockets will dominate this season.”
“Championship DNA.”
“Look how slow he moves, smh. Don’t get ur hopes up, y’all, cuz these vids prove nothing.”
“Unc moving slow as hell.”
FVV back in action 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0a4UGPbJoa
- Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 10, 2026
Training camp is less than two weeks away, and VanVleet looks to be trending in the right direction. Still, there’s no confirmation yet that he’ll open the season in the starting lineup.
A bench role behind Reed Sheppard is at least a possibility if Houston wants to ease him back in. ACL recoveries can be tricky, and VanVleet may not have the same burst right away.
Even so, his playmaking, ball movement and floor-spacing should give the Rockets something useful from the jump. Houston opens against the Mavericks on October 21 at Toyota Center, and the big question now is whether VanVleet will be ready for that night.
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