Reed

Sheppard

While Sheppard scored in double figures in five of the six games in this series, his second NBA season ended with a whimper on Friday. The Rockets guard shot 1-of-10 from beyond the arc and converted just three of his nine two-point attempts. And with Kevin Durant (ankle) still out, the Rockets could ill afford to have Sheppard shoot as poorly as he did in Game 6. Fantasy-wise, while Fred VanVleet’s absence did open things up for Sheppard, few managers expected him to provide top-100 value during the regular season. With a healthy VanVleet and Durant in the fold, Sheppard’s ADP (113 this season) is unlikely to receive a boost ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Having suffered a tendon bruise in his knee before the series, Durant has been out since Game 2 due to a bone bruise in his left ankle. His continued absence means another start for Reed Sheppard, while the Rockets will also require more production from Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson. Sheppard played 35 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 5 victory, finishing with 12 points, six assists, three steals and two three-pointers.

Despite it being another elimination game for the Rockets, Durant still won’t be available to suit up. Reed Sheppard should continue to start after scoring 17 points in Houston’s Game 4 victory. If they’re able to extend the series, there is a chance Durant is able to make a return to the court, which would help the Rockets’ chances of making history by coming back from down 0-3.

While Game 4 was the third time in this series that Sheppard finished with 17 points, he was far more efficient than in Games 1 and 3. The second-year guard shot 50 percent from the field on Sunday, compared to 6-of-20 in Game 1 and 6-of-21 in Game 3. Add in the assists, three-pointers and steals, and Sheppard had a good night when the Rockets needed him most. Sheppard has recorded three steals in back-to-back games, and he kept the turnovers in check in Game 4 after racking up five in the Rockets’ Game 3 defeat. How much he’ll play in Game 5 on Wednesday depends on the availability of Kevin Durant (ankle), who did not play in Games 3 or 4.

With their season on the line, the Rockets will go into Game 4 without their leading scorer. Despite around-the-clock treatment, the veteran wing has not been cleared to play through an injury that would likely sideline him for multiple weeks during the regular season. Reed Sheppard is in line to make another start, and the Rockets will need increased offensive production from Alperen Şengün.

Durant missed Game 1 with a knee tendon bruise before coming back for Game 2 and spraining his ankle. The 37-year-old small forward appeared to be away from the team after being ruled out for Game 3, which was another Rockets loss. Now he’s questionable for Game 4 on Sunday. Reed Sheppard would return to the bench if Durant is available.

Durant, who missed Game 1 with a tendon bruise in his right knee, is now dealing with a sprained left ankle. With the Rockets in a 0-2 hole, they can ill afford to be without their best offensive player in Game 3. Reed Sheppard would return to the starting lineup if Durant can’t play.

Due to a right knee contusion, Durant did not play in Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Lakers. The veteran forward’s ability to participate in half of Monday’s session is not a good sign, even with Udoka saying that Durant will be a game-time decision for Tuesday’s Game 2. Reed Sheppard moved into the starting lineup in the series opener and struggled, shooting 6-of-20 from the field in 36 minutes of action. If Durant remains out, they’ll need more production from Sheppard and Alperen Şengün to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole.

With Kevin Durant (knee) unavailable, Sheppard returned to the Rockets’ starting lineup for Game 1. While the second-year guard has proven himself a competent scorer, he struggled on Saturday. Sheppard shot 5-of-14 from three and 1-of-6 from two, and the eight assists were countered by four turnovers. Regardless of what happens with Durant moving forward, the Rockets will need a more efficient Sheppard if they’re to play deep into the playoffs.

Three of the four best players in this series won’t be available for Game 1, as Kevin Durant has joined the Lakers’ Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on the sidelines due to a knee contusion. Sheppard returns to the starting lineup, and he’ll shoulder a heavy workload along with Thompson and Şengün as playmakers within the Rockets’ offense.