Fred VanVleet Returns After 500-Plus Days as Rockets Rout Mavericks in Macao

Fred VanVleet’s long road back finally reached an NBA floor Friday in Macao. Playing his first NBA game in more than 500 days, the Houston Rockets guard scored 17 points and handed out seven assists in 24 minutes as Houston beat the Dallas Mavericks 135-117 in the first of two NBA China Games. VanVleet immediately looked comfortable, hitting five 3-pointers and helping Houston build a 65-45 halftime lead. Tari Eason scored 20, while Alperen Şengün produced a 16-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.

The result was preseason, but VanVleet’s return was not a routine preseason storyline. He had not appeared in an NBA game since suffering the ACL injury that wiped out his 2025-26 season. Houston now gets back an experienced organizer for a roster loaded with scoring and athleticism. Kevin Durant scored 15 points in 23 minutes, and the Rockets did not need to lean heavily on him because their depth created pressure throughout the game.

Dallas did get an encouraging flash from Cooper Flagg, who scored 17 of his 19 points in the second quarter before sitting after halftime. But Houston controlled the game from the opening minutes. The teams meet again Sunday in Macao, giving the Rockets another chance to build VanVleet’s rhythm carefully. For Houston, the biggest takeaway from Friday was less about a preseason win and more about seeing its veteran point guard healthy, productive and directing the offense again.