Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet is considered “week-to-week” with an ankle injury that kept him out of Monday night’s road game against the New York Knicks, portending a longer absence that would be a significant blow to a Rockets team attempting to maintain its place near the top of the Western Conference standings.

The Rockets are one of the surprise teams in the NBA, boasting one of the best record in the association with its mix of wily veterans and up-and-coming prospects. Still, a two-game skid without Alperen Sengun has the team in dire need of a bounce-back.

The Houston Rockets sit at No. 3 in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies. The New York Knicks similarly rank No. 3 behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.