Fred VanVleet was upgraded from day-to-day to cleared on the Thursday, Oct. 15 injury report, removing him from Houston's injury list ahead of tipoff. The guard is available for the Rockets' season opener against the Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
What happened
VanVleet's status changed to cleared on the Thursday, Oct. 15, 7:05 p.m. ET injury report, up from day-to-day. The report lists no detail and no additional comment on the change. It is the second time this stretch VanVleet has cycled off the injury list: he was cleared from day-to-day on Sept. 22, then flagged day-to-day again on Oct. 11 for rest, and before that logged a day-to-day knee issue on his right leg on Sept. 6. Thursday's update clears him with no restriction noted for the Rockets.
What it means for the Rockets
Houston opens its 2026-27 season at home against Oklahoma City on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV, and VanVleet is available for it. The Rockets are 0-0, with the season not yet underway, so there is no record split with or without him this year. In recent games Houston has played without him, the rotation leaned on Amen Thompson (37.4 minutes, 18.3 points), Kevin Durant (36.4 minutes, 26.0 points), Jabari Smith Jr. (35.1 minutes, 15.8 points), Alperen Sengun (33.3 minutes, 20.4 points), Reed Sheppard (26.2 minutes, 13.5 points), Tari Eason (25.8 minutes, 10.4 points), Steven Adams (22.8 minutes, 5.8 points) and Josh Okogie (17.4 minutes, 4.5 points).
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether VanVleet's cleared status holds through the Thunder game and into the games that follow as Houston's season gets underway. No return timeline applies since he is no longer listed as day-to-day. The earlier flare-ups, a day-to-day rest designation on Oct. 11 and a right knee issue on Sept. 6, did not keep him out long before this clearance.
Is Fred VanVleet playing vs Thunder?
Yes. He was cleared on the Thursday, Oct. 15 injury report, upgraded from day-to-day, for Houston's 8:30 p.m. ET game against the Thunder on NBA TV.
When will Fred VanVleet be back?
He is already back. The Oct. 15 report cleared him from day-to-day status, and no further absence is listed.