Reed Sheppard Keys Rockets’ Late Rally vs. Bucks as Calls Grow to Expand His Role

A sharp two-game surge positioned the second-year guard as a leading internal option at point guard during Fred VanVleet’s absence.

Overview

Houston beat Milwaukee with a fourth-quarter comeback, led by Kevin Durant’s 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting and Alperen Sengun’s 23 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
Reed Sheppard posted 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, hit 4-of-6 from three, and added four steals and a block during the win over the Bucks.
Across road games at San Antonio and Milwaukee, Sheppard averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 60.0% from the field and 61.5% from three.
Durant praised Sheppard as “the spark plug that we need” and credited him as a reason for the Bucks win, later highlighting him on social media.
Ime Udoka leaned on Sheppard in crunch time as coverage weighs whether he should take on more ball-handling duties or if Houston pursues a veteran, with the 6-3 Rockets hosting the 1-9 Wizards on Wednesday.