Veteran guard Fred VanVleet, who stays the primary flooring basic for the Houston Rocketsmissed Sunday’s away recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers as a consequence of what was described by the group as a “proper knee contusion.”
Regardless of the Rockets (16-8) I gained this matchVanVleet’s absence was definitely felt, as evidenced by their 15 turnovers (in comparison with simply seven for the Clippers). That whole of 15 included a brutal stretch by which Houston turned the ball over on 4 of its first 5 possessions of the second half.
Now 30 years outdated, VanVleet is averaging 16.0 factors, 5.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and simply 1.2 turnovers in 35.1 minutes per recreation this season. He is been fairly sturdy since becoming a member of the Rockets within the 2023 NBA offseason, having performed in 73 of 82 video games final season and 22 of 24 in the course of the present 2024-25 marketing campaign. Two of VanVleet’s absences in 2023-24 have been for causes apart from accidents within the remaining weekend of the season (Houston being eradicated from the playoffs).
With a Essential match in Emirates NBA Cup 2024 quarterfinals scheduled for this Wednesday in Houston, here is what we find out about VanVleet’s situation — in addition to options if he is not accessible.
VanVleet harm replace
VanVleet first appeared on Houston’s harm report with the designation of “proper knee contusion” earlier than the Dec. 5 recreation at Golden State. This appeared to point that VanVleet initially suffered an harm within the earlier recreation on December 3 in Sacramento.
Based on Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, VanVleet then suffered one other incident in opposition to the Warriors involving that very same knee. This is what Udoka mentioned on Sunday: by way of Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:
It was hit within the Sacramento recreation, swelled a bit after which hyperextended in opposition to Golden State. Clearly, the times off will assist him.
Tv cameras confirmed VanVleet steadily limping in the course of the remaining minutes of that recreation at Golden State.
Jae’Sean Tate, who was additionally questionable, is on the market for the Rockets. With Tari Eason and Fred VanVleet out and Amen Thompson leaving, Aaron Vacation will possible decide up sixth minutes, however Tate might get a while. He solely performed with clear benches. https://t.co/w99gLGfXrI
– Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 9, 2024
How lengthy will VanVleet be accessible?
The hyperextension doesn’t look like important, because the Rockets initially listed VanVleet as questionable for the Sunday, Dec. 8 recreation in Los Angeles earlier than in the end ruling him out. This may point out a day-to-day prognosis.
Because of the NBA Cup, Houston’s schedule may be very spaced out within the quick time period. It might be that a number of additional days of relaxation earlier than the Dec. 11 quarterfinal will likely be sufficient, as that might give VanVleet virtually a full week off between video games.
But when vital, the Rockets might maintain VanVleet out for this recreation and convey him again subsequent weekend, giving him about 10 days off whereas solely lacking two video games (one among which, Sunday at Los Angeles, is already within the books as a victory).
The Rockets will apply in Houston on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 10, at which era extra data could also be launched relating to VanVleet’s standing for the Dec. 11 quarterfinal. Houston’s harm report for this recreation is predicted roughly 24 hours earlier than kickoff.
Implications of Depth Maps
Within the two video games VanVleet has missed this season (he missed a recreation on Nov. 11 with an unrelated hamstring harm), the Rockets moved versatile reserve Amen Thompson into the beginning lineup.
Nonetheless, since Thompson is not a full-fledged level guard like VanVleet, it is a extra nuanced change than merely utilizing Thompson in actions the place VanVleet usually can be. Thompson is a really completely different fashion of participant, with rather more size, athleticism and defensive versatility, however with out the identical long-range taking pictures and ball-handling abilities.
Usually talking, what has occurred in these video games with out VanVleet is that his backcourt teammate, Jalen Inexperienced, has taken on extra lead guard obligations. With out VanVleet, Inexperienced averaged 24.5 factors whereas taking pictures about 43 % from the sphere. Houston gained each of these video games.
The Rockets have additionally benefited defensively from Thompson’s added size, with the Rockets limiting opponents to a sub-100 common of 99 factors per recreation in his begins. Total, in these two video games as a starter, Thompson is averaging a powerful 17.5 factors (65.2% true taking pictures share), 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2. 5 blocks and a couple of.5 steals.
In fact, with Thompson beginning and never in his common sixth man function, there are additionally trickle-down results in the case of bench minutes. Veteran guard Aaron Vacation rejoined the rotation and performed not less than 17 minutes in each video games with out VanVleet, and he averaged 11 factors in these video games whereas taking pictures higher than 50% total and 40% on 3-pointers.
Veteran ahead Jae’Sean Tate additionally performed good minutes on December 8 in Los Angeles, his alternative might be decreased if Tari Eason returns (as anticipated) an absence following a concussion. Usually talking, it seems that Vacation is the primary reserve in line for elevated minutes when Thompson begins, with Tate maybe second on that checklist.
Extra: Tari Eason harm replace: Houston tremendous sub enters NBA concussion protocol
This text was initially revealed on Rockets Wire: Fred VanVleet Damage Replace: Rockets Veteran Dealing With Knee Points
