Houston, TX — In an entertaining yet abbreviated debut, Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard finally saw some action on Monday night, as Houston hosted the New York Knicks. While his minutes were measured with the precision of a Swiss watch, the former Kentucky star squeezed some production from his limited time on the court, offering a flash of his potential—if only in small doses.
The No. 3 pick had to get cozy on the bench through the first quarter, warming it with the kind of dedication you’d expect from a rookie in Ime Udoka’s system. But then, suddenly, opportunity struck: Sheppard was called to action at the start of the second quarter. And, boy, did he make an entrance. Catching a pass from Amen Thompson, Sheppard drained a 28-footer like he’d been doing it for years—until he wasn’t. Three plays later, he missed an open 3-pointer, which prompted Udoka to summon the defensive tornado known as Dillon Brooks back into the game. It seems Sheppard’s honeymoon with the hardwood was over, at least temporarily.
Coach Udoka, clearly not quite ready to let his rookie loose, rotated him in and out like a limited-edition collector’s item—much to the dismay of Rockets fans hoping for a bit more Sheppard screen time. Sheppard found himself back on the court late in the third quarter, this time facing off against Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson, who was in the process of heating up and, apparently, had plans to turn Sheppard’s defensive skills into a learning experience. Brunson, for his part, wasted no time dropping seven points, reminding Sheppard that the NBA isn’t exactly Kentucky.
Despite the small sample size, Sheppard had some solid moments when he was finally given a bit more freedom in the fourth quarter. Showing off his natural feel for the game, he was able to put up another shot, sinking a mid-range jumper. But his stat line for the night stayed humble: seven points, two rebounds, and a 1-for-4 mark from beyond the arc.
Reed Sheppard Stats vs. New York Knicks:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG | 3-PT FG | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reed Sheppard | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3-8 | 1-4 | 0-0 | -2 |
As the game wrapped up, it was clear Sheppard faces a tough road for minutes on this Rockets squad. When you’ve got Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet—the latter being a veteran point guard with a penchant for poise and precision—hogging the backcourt minutes, it’s hard to see a rookie guard cracking the rotation. Then there’s the ever-present Dillon Brooks, Udoka’s designated defensive menace, and the Rockets’ frontcourt darlings, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr., holding things down up front. All told, Sheppard’s best chance to secure regular minutes might be to convince the coaching staff he’s got untapped potential—or maybe start bringing Udoka coffee every morning.
Despite his brief stints on the floor, Monday night may have been a modest step forward. The rookie logged 14 minutes—nearly double what he’s been averaging over the past four games. If he can sustain his hustle and deliver efficient performances, perhaps his leash will lengthen a little more.
Until then, Rockets fans will have to take their Sheppard sightings in limited doses.
