Devastating Fred VanVleet injury sends shockwaves straight to Mavericks’ doorstep

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL, and while this is devastating news for all NBA fans considering how much VanVleet means to an up-and-coming Rockets team, it could also significantly shake up the Western Conference playoff picture as fans and teams across the league gauge how their team compares to its peers.

The Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams that will be directly impacted by this, as the Rockets are a team that they'll be jousting with for positioning in the standings all season long, and VanVleet going down quietly just made things easier for the Mavs when it comes to securing a prime playoff spot. The Rockets were just the No. 2 seed in the West, largely thanks to VanVleet's ability as a steady hand in the backcourt combined with their depth, and now they'll be without him for likely the entire 2025-26 season.

The Mavs' chances of surpassing the Rockets are now much higher, and Dallas could find themselves being the best team in Texas next season if things go their way.

Fred VanVleet injury boosts Mavericks' playoff odds

The Rockets could still end up being one of the better teams in the West, as they just brought in Kevin Durant and have incredible wing depth, but not having VanVleet for the playoffs is going to be a game-changer. He was excellent for Houston in the postseason last season, and Dallas would immediately have an advantage in the backcourt if they matched up against the Rockets in the playoffs.

The Mavericks have injury problems of their own heading into next season, as Kyrie Irving will miss multiple months after tearing his ACL at the end of last season, but Dallas should have their floor general back before the playoffs, while the Rockets' leader will likely be in street clothes. Irving is out indefinitely, and by all means could miss all of next season, but all signs are ultimately pointing to him making a return at some point before the regular season is over.

All updates regarding Irving's recovery have been positive, and it seems like he'll come back with time to spare, and he could end up being at 100 percent before the playoffs begin in April. This is the best-case scenario for Dallas, and their battle with Houston just got an update that could change everything in the Western Conference.

The West is as cut-throat as it's been in some time, and the Rockets may have just dropped down a tier after having one of their best seasons in some time. Their battles with the Mavericks just got a whole lot more interesting, and Houston's potential decline will leave room for Dallas to push for a higher seed.

The Mavericks will be fighting to avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in four years, and VanVleet's injury just gave them a better shot at being real contenders in the West. Houston could struggle without VanVleet in the lineup, and while all of the Mavs' matchups with the Rockets will likely be dogfights, Houston just got much more beatable right before the season begins.