The Houston Rockets recently enjoyed their first game with a complete roster since New Year's Day, a significant milestone that followed injuries to Jabari Smith and Fred VanVleet. Smith's recovery from a broken hand and VanVleet's return from an ankle injury seemed promising as they faced the Sacramento Kings. However, VanVleet’s return was short-lived; he re-injured his ankle early in the game, remaining ineffective throughout.

Post-game, VanVleet expressed uncertainty about missing more games as he limped off the court. Given the unpredictable nature of ankle injuries, the Rockets are likely to err on the side of caution, particularly with their upcoming back-to-back games. As they prepare for crucial matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, the Rockets must strategize effectively around VanVleet’s potential absence, particularly with their playoff aspirations on the line.