Rockets’ Reed Sheppard Faces Tough Rookie Season Amid Team Success

HOUSTON, Texas — The Houston Rockets, currently enjoying a successful season with over 50 wins, have found themselves in a perplexing situation regarding Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. As the team secures its standing in the Western Conference, Sheppard has struggled to find his place within a deep rotation and is now facing additional challenges due to a recent thumb injury.

Sheppard, who had just begun to showcase his potential, experienced a fractured thumb on his shooting hand shortly after delivering the best performance of his young career. On March 25, he scored 25 points in just 31 minutes during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking his first career start.

“If he’s playing for a team where he’s getting 25-30 minutes a game, I would predict he would be running away with this award,” said ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, reflecting on Sheppard’s diminished playing time. Despite his impressive breakout game, Sheppard’s absence from significant court time has restricted his chances for recognition, including potential consideration for the Rookie of the Year award.

Throughout the season, Sheppard has played in 49 games, averaging four points, one rebound, and one assist in 11.4 minutes per game. His recent injury sidelined him for three weeks, limiting his ability to contribute to the team’s success. After his standout performance against the Thunder, he logged only 25 minutes across the following two games before the injury took its toll.

As the Rockets continue their march towards the playoffs, the team’s overall success has somewhat overshadowed Sheppard’s struggles. However, the disappointment of not reaching his anticipated potential during this pivotal rookie season weighs heavily on the young player.

Only time will tell how Sheppard’s career will evolve under different circumstances. For now, the Rockets are focused on maintaining their momentum heading into the postseason, while Sheppard seeks to rehabilitate his thumb and make a stronger impact in the future.