Houston Rockets sophomore Reed Sheppard couldn’t have scripted a better introduction to professional basketball. In the Rockets’ 133-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 16, Sheppard delivered his most complete NBA performance yet, leading all scorers with 29 points while adding six rebounds and six assists.
It was the final game of Houston’s preseason and the team’s fourth consecutive victory, securing a perfect 4-0 record. With several veterans resting, including Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, Sheppard seized the opportunity to show exactly why he’s one of the most intriguing young guards in the league.
His confidence and command of the game were unmistakable. He shot 38.5% from beyond the arc, hitting five 3-pointers, and maintained a +11 plus-minus, driving Houston’s offense with precision and control.
Rockets’ Reed Sheppard Ends Preseason On High Note
For fans who followed Sheppard at Kentucky, this performance was hardly unexpected. In his lone college season, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game, shooting an elite 52.1% from 3-point range. His true shooting percentage (.699) was the highest in the SEC and fifth-highest in the NCAA.
The efficiency and feel for the game that were the hallmarks of his play at the collegiate level have translated seamlessly into the NBA. The Rockets coaching staff, led by Ime Udoka, has already embraced Sheppard’s versatility. He’s comfortable operating both as an off-ball shooter alongside Amen Thompson and as a secondary facilitator who can manage the offense when needed.
Tari Eason praised Sheppard’s decision-making on Media Day, describing him as “a rookie who plays like he’s been here before” (h/t James Piercey Space City Scoop). That praise is well earned. His passing reads, court vision, and defensive awareness have all stood out in a preseason that felt more like an audition, one he passed with flying colors.
A Statement Game
Wednesday night’s matchup in Atlanta might have been just another preseason game on paper but, for Sheppard, it was a statement. With Durant and Sengun watching from the sidelines, he was the focal point of the Rockets’ attack, and he delivered. His rhythm shooting from deep kept the Hawks off balance, while his six assists reflected a growing understanding of Udoka’s motion-heavy offense. The Rockets looked cohesive and fast-paced, moving the ball with confidence and feeding off Sheppard’s energy.
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s Kristaps Porzingis and Zaccharie Risacher scored 47 points combined, but Houston’s team structure proved too efficient. Every time the Hawks made a run, Sheppard responded, whether it was a timely three, a transition pass, or a defensive recovery. Houston’s dominance extended beyond his play. Nevertheless, the team closed the preseason undefeated, displaying chemistry and balance that were missing just a year ago. At the center of that was a 21-year-old making a statement.
Confidently Coming Into Regular Season
Heading into the regular season, it’s clear that Sheppard has earned a real spot in Udoka’s rotation. His shooting range stretches defenses, his tempo control keeps the offense steady, and his basketball IQ allows him to play well beyond his years.
For the Rockets, this early success likely means a few more wins and the payoff of a rebuild that finally seems to be taking shape. With veterans providing leadership and the young core gaining experience, the second-year guard’s emergence gives Houston another reliable weapon in its pursuit of relevance in the Western Conference.
Sheppard’s preseason may be over, but the message is clear: he belongs. If this level of confidence carries into the regular season, he could be one of the defining surprises of the year.
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