The Rockets exercised their 2026-27 team option for Sheppard on Friday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Lerner described this as a formality for the Rockets, with Sheppard's option valued at $11.1 million. Through four games, Sheppard is averaging 10.0 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.0 three-pointers.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Logs 28 minutes off bench
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Sheppard finished with nine points (3-11 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 28 minutes during Tuesday's 125-124 double-overtime loss to the Thunder.
Sheppard played 28 minutes despite coming off the bench, a positive for those who took a chance on him in fantasy drafts. It appears as though Houston will adjust its starting rotation based on the opponent, meaning Sheppard could still be afforded a starting role at times. Although his shot was a little off, Sheppard managed to cobble together a balanced performance on both ends of the floor.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: To come off bench
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Sheppard will come off the bench Tuesday against the Thunder, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports.
Although Sheppard drew some starts at point guard in the preseason, the Rockets are opting to go with a jumbo lineup to open the season -- Amen Thompson will start at point guard with Steven Adams getting the nod at center. Sheppard posted 29 points (12-22 FG, 5-13 3Pt), six rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks in 29 minutes during Thursday's preseason finale which showcased his upside, and he's likely to play a key role off the bench Tuesday.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Explodes for 29 points
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Sheppard finished with 29 points (12-22 FG, 5-13 3Pt), six rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks in 29 minutes during Thursday's preseason win over the Hawks.
Houston opted to rest its entire starting five, except for Sheppard, thrusting him into a much larger role. He certainly made the most of his opportunity, leading all scorers while adding seven combined steals and blocks. With Fred VanVleet likely done for the season due to a knee injury, Sheppard is expected to step into the starting point guard role. Coming off a disappointing rookie season, Sheppard will be given the chance to shine, making him a solid top-100 fantasy target.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Bounces back in win
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Sheppard recorded 11 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks across 26 minutes of Wednesday's 140-127 preseason win over Utah.
After a quiet opener with seven points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes of Monday's 122-113 preseason win over Atlanta, Sheppard found his rhythm Wednesday. He's now started in two straight games, and he seems to be the heavy favorite to be named the fifth starter ahead of Opening Night.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Quiet in preseason opener
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Sheppard produced seven points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes of Monday's 122-113 preseason win over Atlanta.
Sheppard started this game at point guard and had a modest workload along with the rest of the first unit. Most of the offense flowed through Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, while Kevin Durant got the night off for rest. This wasn't the best performance for Reed, obviously, but it's a good sign if he's getting the first chance to win the starting point guard job.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Starting in preseason opener
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Sheppard (rest) is available and starting in Monday's preseason game against the Hawks, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports.
The second-year guard will get the starting nod in Houston's preseason opener and will look to earn the starting job ahead of the regular season with Fred VanVleet (knee) on the shelf. Sheppard appeared in just 52 regular-season games (three starts) and played a limited role in his rookie season, during which he averaged 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 12.6 minutes per contest.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Shut down for rest of Summer League
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The Rockets will hold Sheppard out for the remainder of the Las Vegas Summer League, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports.
Sheppard isn't dealing with an injury, but the Rockets are opting to hold him out for the rest of their time in Las Vegas in order to evaluate other players. While he wasn't efficient from the floor in his two appearances this summer (36.3 percent shooting from the field, 31.8 percent from three-point range), Sheppard totaled 46 points, 11 rebounds, eight steals, five assists, and one block. Following a disappointing rookie campaign, the 2024 No. 3 overall pick will now set his sights toward earning a larger role off the bench in 2025-26.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Scores 18 in SL loss
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Sheppard recorded 18 points (6-19 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), four steals, three rebounds and an assist in 28 minutes during Sunday's 98-83 Summer League loss to the Pistons.
Sheppard led Houston's Summer League squad in scoring for a second straight game as he continues to see a heavy offensive workload. While he seems to be the go-to player on the offensive end for Summer League, he has struggled with efficiency, shooting just 35.5 percent from the floor through two games. A bright spot for Sheppard has been his work on the defensive end, where he has collected eight steals over the last two contests.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Dazzles in Las Vegas
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Sheppard generated 28 points (10-25 FG, 6-15 3Pt, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocks over 33 minutes of Friday's 95-92 Summer League loss to the Clippers.
Sheppard had a disappointing rookie season for a No. 3 overall pick. He played in just 52 regular-season games and averaged 12.5 minutes while logging 35/34/81 shooting splits. He could be in line for a sophomore leap, as he dominated his first Summer League game of 2025, posting game highs in points and steals while pacing the Rockets in rebounds as well. With Houston retooling its championship-contending roster by adding Kevin Durant, Sheppard will likely be relied upon as one of the top guards off the bench.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Plays one minute in win
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Sheppard supplied zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) in one minute during Friday's 115-107 victory over the Warriors in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Sheppard is one of many notable players on Ime Udoka's squad who have rarely played in this first-round series. The rookie guard has played in only three games, averaging 3.3 minutes per contest. It's unlikely he'll see significant minutes in Game 7.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Bench role against Denver
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Sheppard will come off the bench during Sunday's game against the Nuggets, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
After starting the last two games, Sheppard will be in the second unit Sunday. In 48 games in a reserve role for Houston, the rookie guard has averaged 3.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 32.6 percent and 30.4 percent from beyond the arc.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Stuffs stat sheet Friday
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Sheppard chipped in 14 points (5-14 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals across 41 minutes during Friday's 140-109 loss to the Lakers.
The Rockets struggled to get into any kind of offensive rhythm all game long, but Sheppard was one of the few players who delivered a solid stat line from a fantasy perspective. The Rockets could very well rest their starters for the season finale against Denver on Sunday, and if that's the case, Sheppard could be in line for a big performance in a starting role once again.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Nails five triples off bench
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Sheppard ended Wednesday's 143-105 victory over Utah with 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-7 3Pt), three rebounds and two assists in nine minutes.
Sheppard made the most of his nine minutes of action in Tuesday's blowout win by making a season-high five three-pointers. Although the rookie guard continues to receive inconsistent playing time, his improved outside shot is an encouraging sign, considering that was one of his most highly-touted traits pre-draft.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Scores six points in win
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Sheppard notched six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds, three assists and two steals across 12 minutes during Sunday's 148-109 victory over the Suns.
Making his first appearance since March 6 due to a fractured right thumb, Sheppard made the most of his limited run. Dillon Brooks was ejected after 11 minutes, and the Rockets were missing Tari Eason (rest), so minutes will be hard to come by for Reed going forward.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Available Sunday
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Sheppard is available for Sunday's game against the Suns, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Head coach Ime Udoka initially stated Sheppard would not be available for Sunday's contest, but it has now been comfirmed the third overall pick will be active. Sheppard doesn't figure to see a sizable role in his return, considering his minimal role before injury and the amount of time he has been sidelined.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Won't play Sunday
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Sheppard (thumb) is out for Sunday's game against the Suns, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Sheppard will remain out Sunday due to a fractured right thumb. Sheppard, who has not played since March 6, seems to be closing in on a return, initially being upgraded to questionable ahead of Sunday's contest before ultimately being ruled out. Also, head coach Ime Udoka noted that Sheppard didn't have any pain following Saturday's practice, but he still needs to pass more tests before returning to action. His next opportunity to suit up comes Monday against the Lakers, but even if he is available, he doesn't figure to see a sizable role.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Questionable to play Sunday
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Sheppard (thumb) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Sheppard is in the final stages of the recovery process from a fractured right thumb, and the questionable tag suggests he might have an outside shot at returning to action before the initial timeline of four weeks. The rookie isn't expected to have a big role in the rotation once he's deemed ready to return, though, so he shouldn't carry a lot of fantasy appeal in the near future.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Ruled out for Saturday
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Sheppard is out for Saturday's game against the Pelicans due to a right thumb injury.
Sheppard has been diagnosed with an avulsion on his right thumb, and while it should be a long-term issue, it's severe enough to sideline the rookie for at least one game. Sheppard's next chance to play will come against the Magic on Monday, although it's worth noting that his absence won't affect many fantasy decisions.
Sheppard accumulated 25 points (10-17 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block in 31 minutes during Monday's 137-128 loss to the Thunder.
Sheppard recorded a career-high 25 points in just his third time playing 20-plus minutes this season. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 Draft received his first career start Monday, as Fred VanVleet (ankle) and three more of the club's usual starters were sidelined. Sheppard's level of play Monday bodes well for his chances of cracking the rotation when the club is fully healthy, though he'll still have to compete for playing time on a stacked roster.
