Fred VanVleet was cleared on Sunday, a day after he was listed out with a right knee issue. The Rockets host the Hawks on Monday night with their point guard off the report.
What happened
Houston guard Fred VanVleet was moved to Cleared on the official injury report at 5:38 PM ET on Sunday, Oct. 25. His previous status was Day-To-Day. The report gave no detail and no comment with the change. The knee issue, listed as right leg, had moved quickly. He was listed Out on Saturday, Oct. 24, after being Day-To-Day for rest earlier that day. On Sunday he was upgraded from Out to Day-To-Day with the knee designation, and later that day he was cleared. No return date applies now, and no further timeline was announced.
What it means for the Rockets
Houston plays the Hawks on Monday, Oct. 26, at 8:30 PM ET. The Rockets are 3-0 and have won three straight. VanVleet has played two games this season and averages 30.5 minutes, 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists. The Rockets are 2-0 with him and 1-0 without him. When he sat, Kevin Durant played 37.0 minutes and scored 24.0 points. Amen Thompson played 36.2 minutes, Jabari Smith Jr. 34.6 and Alperen Sengun 32.8. Marcus Smart (23.9 minutes) and Reed Sheppard (23.1) shared the guard minutes, with Tari Eason at 20.1 and Bogdan Bogdanovic at 14.1.
What to watch
The next injury report will confirm whether VanVleet stays clear for the Hawks game. He has moved between statuses several times in the past two weeks, so a late change is possible. Marcus Smart is Day-To-Day with a left forearm issue, which matters for the guard rotation. Steven Adams is out with a right calf issue. No return timeline has been announced for either player. Houston plays Atlanta on Monday night at 8:30 PM ET.
Is Fred VanVleet playing vs the Hawks?
VanVleet was cleared on the injury report at 5:38 PM ET on Sunday, Oct. 25. The Rockets play the Hawks on Monday, Oct. 26, at 8:30 PM ET. The next report will confirm his availability.
When will Fred VanVleet be back?
He is cleared, so no absence is listed. He was Out on Saturday and Day-To-Day earlier Sunday with a right knee issue. No further timeline was announced.