Rockets rule out VanVleet, Adams and Smart against Hawks

Reed Sheppard steps in to lead a shorthanded backcourt.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 51m1 min read

VanVleet, Adams and Smart are out for Houston. Via @KLChouinard on X

What happened: Fred VanVleet sits out for right knee injury management alongside Steven Adams (ankle injury management) and Marcus Smart (left forearm strain). Listed as available despite a left knee contusion and bone bruise, Sheppard takes over the point guard spot opposite Atlanta's standard starting five.

Why it matters: Coach Ime Udoka had slated Smart to replace VanVleet during back-to-back maintenance games after VanVleet backed the backcourt pairing at the start of camp. Losing both veteran guards at once forces Houston to test its young perimeter depth early in the 2026-27 regular season.

By the numbers: Houston and Atlanta both enter unbeaten at 2-0 following Oct. 23 victories, with the Rockets edging the San Antonio Spurs 114-110 and the Hawks routing the Charlotte Hornets 128-81.

What to watch: Sheppard assumes primary ball-handling duties against Atlanta while Houston monitors Smart's forearm strain and manages the workloads of VanVleet and Adams.

Sources

@KLChouinard 2026-10-25T00:07:00.275782+00:00

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NBAInjuryAtlanta HawksHouston RocketsFred VanVleetReed Sheppard

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