Reed Sheppard locked in from the moment he rose into his shooting motion. He shook a defender with one dribble, stepped to the right and buried a three that stretched Houston’s lead to 16 in the second half, per The Houston Chronicle. The shot electrified the Toyota Center crowd and signaled another leap for a Rockets team that continues to surge through November.
Sheppard kept that rhythm going during Houston’s 135 to 112 win over the Wizards. He poured in a season-high 21 points and walked off the court with a smile, only to be greeted moments later by a sharp message from Amen Thompson. Sheppard said Thompson pulled him aside in the weight room and delivered a warning with a grin.
“‘If you take one more dribble when you’re open, and there’s no shooting, I’m gonna punch you in the face.’”
Thompson confirmed it in the locker room. “I did say that.”
The exchange showed how the Rockets want Sheppard to approach his role. Coaches and teammates tell him constantly to fire when he sees space. Sheppard appreciates the push.
“That’s everything,” he said. “Your teammates having confidence in you means a lot because you know they’re going to always be there.”
Sheppard’s own confidence continues to grow as his minutes increase on a Rockets team that holds the league’s top offensive rating.
Sheppard Extends Efficiency Streak as Rockets Roll
Houston dominated the Wizards from the opening tip. The Rockets built a 27 point lead by halftime and kept control even when Washington made a brief third quarter push. They crossed 81 points by the break, marking their third time topping 70 before halftime this season.
Kevin Durant set the tone early with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists, Last Word on Sports reports. Tari Eason supplied energy with 20 points and six boards. Thompson added 18 points and eight assists. Alperen Sengun anchored the paint with 16 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Houston also controlled the glass. They outrebounded Washington 53 to 37 and collected 20 offensive boards, a sign of how strong their physical presence has become.
Sheppard helped close the door in the second half. His quick release punished defenders who tried to go under screens. Each shot he knocked down fed the Rockets’ rhythm and slowed any attempt at a comeback.
His recent stretch stretches beyond one hot night. Sheppard became the youngest guard ever to post four consecutive double-digit scoring games with a true shooting percentage at or above 80.0. The streak matters to Houston because it reflects the trust he built since opening night.
Rockets Lean Into Sheppard’s Growth After Early Questions
Houston originally planned for Sheppard to develop behind Thompson and Durant. His role shifted the moment Fred VanVleet went down with an ACL tear. Sheppard stepped into the rotation earlier than expected and needed time to settle in. Mistakes came, but so did a steady belief from the locker room that his shooting would eventually pop.
That support shows up every night. Thompson’s joking threat only underscored the message Houston repeats to him. Shoot with conviction. Move without hesitation. Trust the work.
Sheppard now rewards that trust. His decisions look cleaner, his confidence looks stronger and his shooting helps Houston stretch defenses. When he plays with Sengun or Thompson, the floor opens naturally. Defenders no longer cheat off him without paying for it.
The Rockets continue to stack wins, but the long-term takeaway centers on Sheppard’s evolution. What began as a developmental season now looks like the early stages of a breakout. Houston found another weapon, and the locker room wants him to keep firing.
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