Reed Sheppard ☆ Follow

Starts 1 of 2 games · 7th on HOU in minutes · Rotation role

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• Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective host · Report · 4 h ago around the league

  Houston won in Atlanta without Fred VanVleet and without Marcus Smart. Sheppard started and, by a host's hedged recollection, had about 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

  “Chaotic NBA Opening Week Reaction: Key Injuries & New Contenders? + Major Beef” at 29:28 · listen ↗

• Podcast Dave DuFour, The Athletic NBA Daily · Analysis · 7 h ago around the league

  Alperen Sengun scored 29, including eight straight in the fourth quarter. The host wants him as the offensive hub for bench units and sees his two-man game with Reed Sheppard as a potential step forward.

  “Jalen Williams Suffers Devastating Injury + Miami Slides in Power Rankings” at 27:16 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 10 points · 23 h ago
  • Jackson Gatlin: Reed Sheppard started in place of VanVleet or Smart. at 2:00
  • Bryson (reported): Bryson says he saw that Sheppard was listed as questionable before he ended up starting. No reason for the questionable tag is given. at 13:10
  • Bryson thinks Sheppard should have been put back in much sooner instead of coming in cold against the press. Sheppard had a late turnover on a pass to Jabari Smith Jr. at 5:37
  • Jackson Gatlin: Jackson's description of the late turnover: Jabari inbounded to Sheppard, who felt the pressure and dumped the ball back to a Jabari who wasn't expecting it. at 7:48
  • Jackson Gatlin: Sheppard's line: 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, 5-of-11 from three, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 3 turnovers. at 12:46
  • Bryson believes Sheppard can win the award heard as Sixth Man of the Year when VanVleet and Smart are healthy and Sheppard comes off the bench. name not confirmed at 14:09
  • Jackson Gatlin: Jackson says Sheppard still had defensive moments where he got turned around or lost. Jackson also says Sheppard looks bigger and takes contact better this season, something the hosts have noticed since the first preseason games. at 15:29
  • Jackson Gatlin: Jackson observes that Sheppard hit passes to Sengun on the short roll in this game that he wasn't making last season. at 16:21
  • Bryson says Sheppard defends better on the ball. In his view Sheppard gets lost on rotations and switches, which compromises the team defense. at 17:09
  • Jackson Gatlin: Jackson says scram switching will be needed to get Sheppard out of bad matchups. He notes teammates such as Marcus Smart, Durant and Jabari scram him out of mismatches. at 18:14

  “Houston Rockets SURVIVE Crunch Time MISTAKES Vs Hawks | Reed Sheppard SHINES In Start” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · Analysis · 34 h ago around the league

  Andy says it has become clear that Udoka does not inherently trust Reed Sheppard, who must keep earning that trust. Andy argues the Rockets need Sheppard's spacing, rim pressure and playmaking on the court.

  “Are the Miami Heat Already in PANIC Mode After NIGHTMARE Start? Golden State Warriors LOOK Helpless” at 18:03 · listen ↗

• Story ESPN · Article · 38 h ago

  Durant scores 22, Sheppard hits five 3-pointers to lead Rockets to a win in Atlanta's home opener

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• RotoWire RotoWire · Report · 41 h ago

  Available, starting

  source ↗

• Bluesky @btrowland.bsky.social · Report · 42 h ago

  Marcus Smart (forearm) is out for the Rockets tonight. Reed Sheppard (knee) is available to play. VanVleet and Adams were already ruled out.

  original post ↗

• Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Report · 47 h ago around the league

  Rockets don't have Reed Sheppard right now; no reason given. A host was surprised Steven Adams is healthy (he got injured in January).

  “20 Things We Have Learned So Far | Numbers On The Board” at 1:33:35 · listen ↗

• ESPN ESPN · Report · Oct 24

  Day-to-day, left knee bruise, return est. Oct 24

  source ↗

• Bluesky @btrowland.bsky.social · Report · Oct 24

  Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams are out for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is listed as questionable.

  original post ↗

• X Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) · Report · Oct 24

  Reed Sheppard (knee) listed questionable Saturday.

  original post ↗

• Podcast KG Certified host · Analysis · Oct 24 around the league

  A host thought Reed Sheppard and the young Amen Thompson got too much responsibility too early last season.

  “Ant & LaMelo Look Dangerous, LeBron Takes On Embiid and KG Believes in Luka’s Lakers | KG CERTIFIED” at 1:15:39 · listen ↗

• Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  Reed Sheppard (heard 'Reese Shepard') shot the ball well in preseason. Host says his team 'didn't bring no shooters', so they still need him. He is a host's Sixth Man No. 1.

  “LIVE From Chicago! | Numbers On The Board” at 22:14 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  Gavin (inferred) says VanVleet 'looked a little washed', mostly taking deep threes, but had 11 assists as an organizer. Gavin thinks this may have indirectly led to more creative use of Sengun, such as an inverted screen with Reed Sheppard.

  “GAME NIGHT: Ant/LaMelo SHINE in Debut, Luka talks trash, Ty Jerome goes OFF” at 30:55 · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  Houston rotation: Smart and Marcus Smart and Tari Eason come off the bench, and a healthy Fred VanVleet is in the starting five. A host expects a limited-usage year for Reed Sheppard.

  “2026-27 NBA Awards Predictions AND Wild Card Picks” at 58:09 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 20
  • A guest (inferred to be Madison) says Reed Sheppard has gained weight and plays more physically. at 4:22
  • Madison expects Reed Sheppard to be a lights-out shooter. at 21:11

  “DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE: Houston Rockets Set To SURPASS Spurs & Thunder In NBA's Elite Rankings?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 6 points · Oct 20
  • Bryson said having Steven Adams back will help Alperen Sengun and will also help Reed, because of how the team staggered their minutes together. at 4:30
  • Madison predicted that Jabari Smith Jr.'s ability to play the 3 through the 5 will keep his minutes steady in a 10-man rotation and that the minutes will be there for him. She said the minutes might not be there for Reed Sheppard. at 22:45
  • Bryson said Reed Sheppard will be extension-eligible after this season, which is why he has the most riding on it. at 32:34
  • Bryson said Reed Sheppard shot 39% from three on almost nine attempts last year and 47% on wide-open catch-and-shoot threes. He said Sheppard's role, minutes and usage should be reduced this year and that he should come off the bench. at 33:10
  • B Scott said Sheppard has had a mixed bag of production and role, and that the team still needs to work out how best to use him before making contract decisions. at 34:03
  • Madison said that to earn a big contract, Sheppard needs to show improved ball handling and decision-making as a play initiator, so the Rockets can see him as a future starting point guard. She added that VanVleet will not be here for much longer. at 37:40

  “Rockets Most IMPORTANT Player BESIDES Kevin Durant | Who Will SURPRISE And Who Has Most AT STAKE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 20 around the league

  A host criticizes Udoka's offense as mostly "go beat the guy in front of you" isolation, relying on offensive rebounds. The host says Reed Sheppard has been glued to the bench at times, and that his defense is not up to Udoka's liking.

  “Final Considerations Ahead of NBA Opening Night” at 38:06 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 4 points · Oct 19
  • Madison does not think Amen Thompson is an All-Star-level player yet, though he calls him incredibly versatile and important. He wants a step forward from Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason. at 9:30
  • Bryson frames Jabari Smith's wide-open catch-and-shoot rate as a marker: whether he reaches 38-41% or is 'still at 34, 37%'. Those figures are as heard. He also asks whether Reed Sheppard pressures the organization to start him by hitting deep pull-ups off pick-and-rolls. at 21:12
  • B. Scott's Christmas marker: whether Jabari, Tari and Reed can become near-40% three-point shooters, especially on open looks. He expects them to get open shots because of the attention drawn by Durant and Sengun. at 23:25
  • Madison attributes some of last season's failures to a talent and experience gap rather than to Udoka. His example is Reed Sheppard getting back-tapped in the playoffs. at 41:40

  “Houston Rockets Path To SUCCESS This Season? | Alperen Sengun & Amen Thompson Must SHINE” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  Dan's Rockets top nine: starters VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Sengun; bench Smart, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason and Steven Adams. Bogdanovic plays if healthy; Capela likely doesn't play when Sengun and Adams are both healthy.

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” at 1:19:37 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 7 points · Oct 16
  • First-half substitution order: Tari Eason came in first, for Amen Thompson. Marcus Smart replaced Clint Capela and Reed Sheppard came in together for Sengun and VanVleet, leaving Durant with four bench players. Bogdanovich was the fifth and final sub. at 28:29
  • One host said Reed Sheppard was the first off the bench in the second half, and thought (hedged 'I think') that Tari was first off in the first half. at 14:55
  • Damian Peters (uncertain) (reported): Relayed report, with the host unsure of the source ('I think it was Damian Peters'): the Rockets may face a minutes crunch involving Tari and Reed. at 23:55
  • Jackson Gatlin: A shooting/spacing lineup with Fred, Reed Sheppard and Bogdanovich together was used for a stretch. at 25:01
  • Fred VanVleet (reported): Relayed: at media day, VanVleet talked about being excited to get the chance to play alongside Reed Sheppard. at 20:36
  • Host view: the best way to use Reed Sheppard is off the ball, coming off screens and shooting threes in rhythm, though he should still get on-ball reps. at 21:23
  • Host view: Tari and Reed often had to start last season but now don't, which turns the bench from a weakness into a strength. at 35:01

  “Rockets Close Preseason STRONG Vs Thunder | Amen & Sengun CARRY Early, Bogdan Bogdanovic Goes CRAZY” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 6 points · Oct 15
  • Damian Peters (reported): Damian Peters (outlet given as BasketballNews.com or.net; the host was unsure which) reported that, purely because of the roster's depth, one of Tari Eason or Reed Sheppard will struggle to find consistent, sustainable minutes if the team is fully healthy. at 10:50
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's comparison: Bogdanovic is a bigger, more consistent scorer than Reed Sheppard. At 6'6" he is less of a defensive liability than Sheppard sometimes is, though he is not a lockdown defender. at 14:48
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host could see Bogdanovic's emergence eating into Reed Sheppard's playing time, but says it absolutely shouldn't. at 16:30
  • Jackson Gatlin: According to the host, next offseason will be Reed Sheppard's rookie-scale extension negotiation, because this is his third NBA season. at 19:03
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's opinion: Sheppard, whom he calls the No. 3 overall pick, needs the reps and deserves a rotation spot over Bogdanovic. He says this is on merit, not charity. at 22:48
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's open questions on substitution patterns: will one of Durant ('katie') and Sengun ('shingun') be on the floor at all times? When do the double-big lineups and the Amen Thompson pace-and-space lineups get used? Will double-guard lineups (any two of VanVleet, Smart, Sheppard) be staggered with the double bigs to cover defensive weaknesses? at 26:32

  “LEGACY: Can Kevin Durant DEFY Doubters And LEAD The Rockets To NBA Finals This Season?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 4 points · Oct 14
  • The host says Reed Sheppard looks like he's gunning and more confident, and that Jabari Smith Jr looks a bit more confident on the floor. at 9:16
  • The host says that on paper the team should be a top-five offense, citing VanVleet's return, the addition of Marcus Smart, Durant, Sengun, Sheppard and Bogdan Bogdanovic. at 27:13
  • The host picks Reed Sheppard for Sixth Man of the Year, on the condition that Udoka doesn't cut his minutes and embraces him as a bench shooter and scorer. at 32:29
  • The host thinks Sheppard will at least be on the radar for the three-point contest. at 11:01

  “Rockets Fans PREDICTIONS | 60+ WINS? Western Conference Finals RUN? Kevin Durant DOMINANCE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 5 points · Oct 12
  • Smart, Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard are all coming off the bench. The host thinks they would likely start for other teams. at 10:17
  • Reed Sheppard: 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 4-of-10 from three, 3-of-4 free throws, and 5 turnovers. at 14:07
  • Two Sheppard turnovers came on passes to the left corner after Isaiah Crawford and then Amen Thompson cut in. The host is inclined to call it about 50-50, with the Crawford one maybe more on Crawford. He says Sheppard predetermined the passes and needs another half-second of patience. at 15:13
  • The host doesn't believe Sheppard connected on a good look with Capela in the two-man game. He calls Sheppard's two-man game with the bigs something to monitor. at 16:43
  • Over the first two preseason games, Sheppard is confidently taking deep threes from 26-28 feet. The host thinks he looks more sure of himself than last season, when he might have been bumped around or picked up his dribble in panic. at 17:20

  “Marcus Smart's IMPRESSIVE Rockets Debut Vs Mavs | Reed Sheppard's CONFIDENCE On Display” · listen ↗

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