LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 12: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers in first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rockets defeated the Lakers 99-80. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Rockets got their week off to a great start on Sunday afternoon with a monster win over the Milwaukee Bucks, clawing back from behind in the fourth quarter, sparked by sophomore guard Reed Sheppard. Sheppard was everywhere, scoring 16 points on 6-10 shooting (4-6 from long range), pocketing four steals, and collecting one huge block during the comeback. Kevin Durant led the way with 31 points on a smooth 11-15 from the floor while center Alperen Sengun scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists, continuing his stellar play this season.
The Rockets had gone 2-1 last week, beating down the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, pushing their winning streak to five games, before falling to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night in a highly anticipated matchup against their in-state rivals.
The Rockets now get a pair of off days before hosting the Washington Wizards on Wednesday and the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The Wizards, at 1-9, figure to be one of the worst teams in the league while Portland sits at an unexpected 5-4, seventh in the Western Conference. Against Washington, the Rockets will get a look at former Rocket Cam Whitmore, traded this offseason after a disappointing stint in Houston.
No Point Guard, No Problem
The story of the last two games for the Rockets has been the play of Sheppard. Durant said he won the game for Houston against Milwaukee with his play down the stretch. Against the Spurs, albeit in a loss, he filled up the stat sheet, scoring 16 points on 6-10 shooting from the floor, 4-7 from long distance, to go along with 6 assists. While he had some costly defensive errors, he was a calming influence for the Rockets offense in the third quarter as they mounted a charge.
Head coach Ime Udoka stuck with Sheppard longer than his usual stint against the Spurs, and then against the Bucks, he rewarded him with playing time during crunch time. The Rockets got a win. After much early season angst, have the Rockets found their point guard? Critics have wondered if general manager Rafael Stone will pull the trigger on a trade for a veteran to replace the injured Fred VanVleet. It’s possible the Rockets’ starter at the position this year is already on the roster, in the form of Sheppard. Will Udoka make the move to play him with the starters?
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rahathuq/2025/11/09/rockets-start-week-with-huge-comeback-win-over-bucks/
