Rockets guard Reed Sheppard enters third season as primary reserve
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The gist
Rockets coach Ime Udoka says third-year guard Reed Sheppard will have a significant role this season.
Sheppard is extension-eligible after the year and faces a crowded Houston backcourt.
Background
Reed Sheppard is a third-year guard for the Houston Rockets, projected as the team's primary reserve point guard behind starter Fred VanVleet. Houston went 52-30 last season but lost in the first round of the playoffs, and the franchise has shifted from collecting high draft picks to seeing whether that young core can win now. Sheppard appeared in all 82 regular-season games and six playoff games last season, and he becomes extension-eligible after this season.
How it unfolded
- Sep 22, 2026Sheppard poses for a photo during Rockets Media Day in Houston.
- Oct 15, 2026Coming off the bench, Sheppard scores 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-8 3Pt) with five rebounds, three assists and a steal in 16 minutes of a 116-89 preseason win over the Thunder, without a turnover.
- Oct 16, 2026RotoWire reports Sheppard is not starting Thursday's preseason game against the Thunder.
- Oct 17, 2026The Athletic ranks Houston No. 23 at point guard, with VanVleet projected as starter and Sheppard as primary reserve.
- Oct 20, 2026Coach Ime Udoka says VanVleet and Steven Adams will not play back-to-back games, and Marcus Smart will start at point guard when VanVleet sits; Udoka reiterates Sheppard will have a significant role.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Coach Ime Udoka says Sheppard, a third-year guard, will have a significant role this season.
- Analysts
- RotoWire notes Sheppard showed his perimeter shooting but that his eight three-point attempts accounted for nearly all his offensive opportunities, and he will compete for minutes in a crowded backcourt.
- Caution
- Major Passons of Rockets On SI argues Sheppard has the most to prove this season, saying he has been reliable in his role but has yet to break out as many expected.
- Official
- General manager Rafael Stone said the young core, including Sheppard, "all need to be way better basketball players" and that he expects that growth.