HOUSTON -- Fred VanVleet hadn’t played in a meaningful game for the Rockets (exhibitions excluded) since Game 7 of the 2025 Western Conference playoffs on May 4, 2025.
Over 17 months later — and after missing all of the 2025-26 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee — the veteran floor general is back like he never left.
In Wednesday’s opener for the 2026-27 regular season, VanVleet finished with 11 points, 3 steals, and 0 turnovers as Houston cruised to a 128-110 victory (box score) over the Dallas Mavericks. The 32-year-old also added a block and connected on a pair of 3-pointers in six attempts.
“He’s a calming player who can settle the waters down on the floor,” said Kevin Durant, who led the way with 30 points. “He can shoot the basketball, get into the paint, and pretty much do everything.”
VanVleet’s stabilizing presence made the game noticeably easier for Houston’s other four starters. Consider the efficiency of these lines:
- Durant: 30 points, 6 rebounds; 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 8-of-11 on free throws (72.7%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 30 points, 5 rebounds; 11-of-11 shooting (64.7%), 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)
- Alperen Sengun: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; 9-of-15 shooting (60.0%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers
- Amen Thompson: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 3-of-5 on free throws (60.0%)
Houston went +19 in VanVleet’s 30 minutes, and that plus/minus figure was the second-highest of any player (trailing only Sengun).
“This team was designed for me to be on the floor,” VanVleet said postgame. “It’s my job to get guys in the right spots, help them succeed, and make their lives easier. Defensively, calling out coverages and trying to relay whatever the coaching staff’s game plan is. I take pride in all of those things that don’t show up in the box score.”
And how did he feel in the process, coming off the ACL injury?
“Physically, I feel great,” VanVleet said. “I feel like I could have played much more.”
Next up for the Rockets (1-0) is Friday’s nationally televised game versus the in-state rival San Antonio Spurs (0-1). Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. Central from Austin, and the game will be broadcast and streamed via Prime Video.
More: Rafael Stone: ‘Everything is better’ when Amen Thompson is on the court
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets rout Mavs in opener behind ‘calming’ presence of Fred VanVleet