{
  "id": 9237722,
  "title": "The Rockets have their point guard back. How long will it take Fred VanVleet to be himself again?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/the-rockets-have-their-point-guard-back-how-long-will-it-take-fred",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-23T01:29:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rockets-point-guard-back-long-012917371.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fred VanVleet, the Houston Rockets guard, can feel the difference in his knee after tearing his ACL last season and missing the entire 2024-25 NBA season. He remains in the return-to-play process and acknowledges that an adjustment period is necessary. The 32-year-old point guard is currently playing five-on-five and participating in training camp, but he stresses that game-speed workouts remain a challenge. VanVleet's return is crucial for a Rockets team that has lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. His leadership and organizational skills have been vital, especially in preventing turnovers and executing late-game strategies. While questions remain about his impact as an older guard returning from injury, his teammates view him as a pivotal part of the team's identity.",
  "summary": "VanVleet has been playing five-on-five, but he says nothing can fully prepare him for the speed and demands of a real NBA game.",
  "key_points": [
    "Fred VanVleet torn ACL last season, missed 2024-25 NBA season",
    "32-year-old point guard in return-to-play process, adjusting to games",
    "VanVleet's return crucial for Rockets, who lost in first round twice"
  ],
  "editors_take": "VanVleet's return from injury puts pressure on him to quickly regain his form and help the Rockets overcome their recent playoff struggles, particularly in executing late-game strategies and preventing turnovers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}