Overview
- Sheppard led Houston with 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting and 5-of-8 from three, adding four assists, two steals, and a plus-13 in 36 minutes.
- He erupted for 18 points in the second quarter to erase a double-digit deficit and earned a rare second-half start.
- He has reached double figures in eight consecutive games, signaling sustained offensive growth after a slow start to the season.
- Fouled on a late three-point attempt, he went 1-for-3 at the line and missed a chance to tie before Houston lost 112-109.
- Attention is rising around the league, with Denver coach David Adelman cautioning about his heaters and Bill Simmons likening his surges to Mark Price, while Sheppard cited guidance from the injured VanVleet.