The aftermath of injuries around the league impacted fans of the LA Clippers in one way last week, as Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat underwent an ankle surgery that increased the pressure of a former team member, Norman Powell. Clipper Nation loved Powell, and although he is now the first scoring option for another team, there will be plenty of support coming from LA.
However, the Western Conference, which was projected to be led by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets, took a devastating turn just hours ago. The Thunder are still on pace to go for back-to-back championships, but the Rockets’ route, after landing Kevin Durant, to winning a ring went from rookie mode to hall of fame with some unfortunate news to their star point guard.
Fred VanVleet, a one-time All-Star and former NBA champion, will unfortunately be out for all of next season with a torn ACL.
Just in: Houston Rockets' Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, sources tell ESPN. A devastating, potentially season-ending loss for the Rockets with their starting point guard and leader. pic.twitter.com/Qhf0V58DwR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2025
This tragic news directly affects the Rockets, who will need more from Durant, and also has ripple effects on other Western Conference contenders, such as the Clippers.
Fred VanVleet's injury could have the Clippers sitting toe to toe with the Thunder
Fred Vanvleet was the third scoring option on the Houston Rockets and the leader of their backcourt, which had one of the most promising rotations in basketball with Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.
Yet, these two will be forced to elevate their promise into reality, quickly, as the Rockets will depend on them to carry the backcourt. This is a lot to ask, as Thompson, an unreliable three-point shooter, will have to fill the shoes of a star, and Sheppard, who went unproven as a rookie, must show the league he was appropriately picked at third overall.
If a mid-level playoff contender were depending on a youthful backcourt, it would be understandable, but the Rockets legitimately had championship expectations arrive with the addition of Kevin Durant.
Thus, the unfavorable loss of VanVleet will affect the Rockets’ chances next season, as well as Durant’s free agency next summer.
Moreover, the Rockets may still be a top-two seed, as they still have one of the best scorers in the league, but next to the Oklahoma City Thunder could sit the LA Clippers, who had a home-run offseason with additions at guard, forward, and center.
VanVleet’s ACL tear was most definitely sad and disheartening to hear, as nothing but the best is wished for him from the Clippers side, but in the end, this news indirectly sends implications to LA.