‘About time’: Fred VanVleet erupts in second half as 5-0 Rockets rout Bucks

· Yahoo Sports

In by far his best scoring game since returning from a torn ACL, veteran guard Fred VanVleet was dynamic in Houston’s 132-100 victory at Milwaukee (box score).

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VanVleet finished with a season-high 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals while making 7-of-14 shots overall (50.0%), 4-of-9 from 3-point range (44.4%), and a perfect 6-of-6 on free throws.

The 32-year-old had just 3 points until the closing seconds of the first half, but a last-second trey going into halftime seemingly propelled VanVleet to a brilliant second half in which Houston poured it on.

“About time,” said VanVleet, who hadn’t shot well to start the 2026-27 season. “I needed that one. It’s been a long process to get back, so it felt good to feel like myself out there.”

With Wednesday’s win, the Rockets (5-0) continue to hold the NBA’s best record. The rebuilding Bucks are now 1-4.

Other individual standouts included:

  • Amen Thompson: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%)
  • Kevin Durant: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points; 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Bogdan Bogdanovic: 16 points in 15 minutes, 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)
  • Clint Capela: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks in 22 minutes; 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%)
  • Tyler Herro (Bucks): 23 points, 3 rebounds; 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%), 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%)

The Rockets were short-handed in this one, with Alperen Sengun (low back soreness), Marcus Smart (left forearm strain), and Steven Adams (right calf strain) all sidelined by injury. Sengun and Smart are day to day and could return very soon, while Adams is expected to miss at least another week.

But the absence of those three players allowed other players to step into larger roles, and the Rockets responded with one of their most efficient games of the season to date (54.8% shooting, 44.7% on 3-pointers, 88.5% on free throws).

Defensively, they had enough length and energy to combine for 12 steals and 10 blocks while holding Milwaukee to 40.2% shooting and 29.3% from 3-point range.

Next up for Houston is Friday’s matchup at Dallas, which opens up Emirates NBA Cup 2026 group-stage play for both teams.

Tipoff of Rockets-Mavericks is at 7:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised and streamed regionally on Space City Home Network (SCHN) and to national and international audiences via NBA League Pass.

More: Ime Udoka provides Alperen Sengun update ahead of matchup vs. Milwaukee

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘About time’: Fred VanVleet erupts in second half as 5-0 Rockets rout Bucks

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