Fred VanVleet has been ruled out for Saturday's game at Atlanta with a right knee issue. He was listed as day-to-day before the update, and his expected return date is Oct. 26.
What happened
The Rockets ruled VanVleet out at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, according to the official injury report. The report lists the issue as a right knee and leg problem and says he will not play against the Hawks. His status had been day-to-day. Earlier on Saturday he was listed day-to-day for rest. The report comment reads: "VanVleet (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hawks." The report gives an expected return date of Oct. 26. He has dealt with the right knee before: it put him on the day-to-day list on Sept. 6, and he was cleared on Sept. 22.
What it means for the Rockets
Houston plays at Atlanta on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Rockets are 2-0, hold the third seed and have won two straight. VanVleet has played both games, averaging 30.5 minutes, 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists. Houston has not played without him this season, so there is no record to compare. The rotation has eight other players who have logged minutes in box scores without him: Kevin Durant (37.2 minutes, 25.0 points), Jabari Smith Jr. (35.2), Amen Thompson (34.8), Alperen Sengun (32.8, 26.0 points), Marcus Smart (23.9), Reed Sheppard (15.8), Tari Eason (14.8) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (11.0). Steven Adams is also out with a left ankle issue, and Sheppard is day-to-day with a left knee issue.
What to watch
The next update on VanVleet should come with the injury report before Houston's next game. The report lists Oct. 26 as his expected return, but the team has not said whether he will play that day. Watch Sheppard's left knee as well, since he is day-to-day and would be part of any backcourt rotation. Adams has no return date announced. After Atlanta, the schedule for the coming days is not in the report.
Is Fred VanVleet playing at the Hawks on Saturday?
No. He has been ruled out for the game with a right knee issue, per the official injury report.
When will Fred VanVleet be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 26. The team has not announced anything beyond that.