Amen Thompson Must Step Up as Rockets Lose Fred VanVleet

['Jalon Dixon', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] Heavy Sports 2025-09-24 00:16:59

The Houston Rockets will begin the 2025–26 season without their floor general. Veteran guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL during an offseason workout and is expected to miss the entire year, according to ESPN. His absence immediately thrusts third-year guard Amen Thompson and second-year guard Reed Sheppard into larger roles as Houston’s primary ball-handlers. Amen Thompson Ready for the SpotlightWith VanVleet sidelined, the plan now shifts to Amen Thompson. The Rockets ranked just 21st in the NBA in three-point percentage last year, and VanVleet was one of their few reliable spacers.