Fred VanVleet Sits Out Rockets’ Win Over Jazz on April 2, 2025, Due to Knee and Ankle Soreness

On April 2, 2025, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet sat out Houston's impressive 143-105 victory over the Utah Jazz due to soreness in his knee and right ankle. VanVleet had just played in both games of a back-to-back on Sunday and Monday, facing the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively.

The 31-year-old veteran had a solid performance against the Suns, finishing with 13 points and seven assists, contributing to a Rockets win. However, in the following game against the Lakers, VanVleet struggled, shooting just 2-of-14 from the field and scoring only seven points while adding nine assists. Despite the injury discomfort, VanVleet tried to play through the soreness but wasn't able to find his usual rhythm, which led to Houston's loss to the Lakers.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka explained that the soreness was related to both VanVleet's knee and the right ankle he had previously injured. He noted that VanVleet felt it more after the back-to-back games, which likely contributed to his lackluster performance in Los Angeles. Udoka acknowledged that while VanVleet might not have been at his best during the Lakers game, his effort to push through the discomfort was commendable.

This marks VanVleet's second season with the Rockets, having played in 57 games so far, averaging 14.3 points and 5.6 assists per game. He has had a history of dealing with ankle issues, missing 16 games earlier in the season due to a right ankle strain. Udoka mentioned that the injury situation would likely persist for the remainder of the season, acknowledging that VanVleet would have to manage it as best as possible moving forward.

VanVleet's injury situation is one that the Rockets will continue to monitor closely, especially as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. His ability to lead and contribute when healthy has been a significant part of Houston’s success, but the team will need to find ways to adjust and manage his recovery as they head into the final games.