Feb. 28, 2026, 11:48 a.m. CT<\/p>\n
ORLANDO — As the Rockets left the floor after rallying to a 113-108 victory<\/a> over the Magic \u2014 during which they trailed by as many as 19 points in the second half \u2014 many players and coaches gave high-fives to each other and shouted in excitement while jogging through the tunnel.<\/p>\n That sense of jubilation and exhilaration near the visitor\u2019s locker room was warranted, as the Rockets initially seemed to be running in place with tired legs. It was understandable, since they had played at home the previous night versus Sacramento before flying into Orlando overnight.<\/p>\n Yet, Reed Sheppard \u2014 who had a major impact during Houston\u2019s 21-0 third-quarter run to flip the game \u2014 jogged down the hallway with the same stoic, workmanlike expression on his face. In fact, he looked as if he was ready to play another quarter of basketball, if needed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was fun, it was a good win,\u201d said Sheppard, who exploded for 11 points in the third quarter on his way to 20 points for the game. \u201cBeing able to stick together as a team and pull that one out was huge for us and really important win just to fight back and stick together. So, it was a fun one.\u201d<\/p>\n Sheppard, whom the Rockets selected at No. 3 overall in the 2024 NBA draft, seems to be having fun playing alongside future Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant \u2014 who has certainly benefited from Sheppard\u2019s hot shooting. When they are both on the floor together, that makes it harder for teams to double and trap Durant.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe is not easy to guard at all,\u201d Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said of Sheppard. \u201cIn each game, you have to account for him in what he is doing in the pick-and-roll. And when he is off the ball, you have to be alert for him. He has been on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n After losing to Houston a night earlier, Kings head coach Doug Christie expressed similar sentiments. In fact, he seemed to be in anguish when asked about Sheppard, who torched the Kings for a game-high 28 points<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a hot shooter,\u201d Christie said. \u201cWe know he is a hot shooter. He was in the scouting report as a hot shooter. We left the strong side corner, gave him the corner three, which is the easiest three in the game. And for a kid like that, he is going to knock it down. Once he seen a couple go in, it was lights out. And now he is hunting them, and that is a different mentality. When you are hunting shots, you think that the ball is going in.\u201d<\/p>\n Houston has gone 4-1 since the NBA\u2019s 2026 All-Star break, and Sheppard has become an offensive weapon that head coach Ime Udoka can count on. In 26.4 minutes per game, Sheppard is averaging 17.2 points while shooting 52.8% from the field and 48% from 3-point range. Against the Magic, he made 5-of-7 shots (71.4%) from 3-point range.<\/p>\n Now in his sophomore NBA season, what has been different about Sheppard in 2025-26 is that he has learned how to take advantage of what opposing defenses give to him.<\/p>\n Opponents try to limit him from shooting 3-pointers, but many don\u2019t realize that he also has the ball-handling skills to shoot the mid-range jumper or take the ball to the rim and finish. The coaching staff has noticed this, as well.<\/p>\n \u201cConfidence and aggressiveness,\u201d Udoka said when asked about Sheppard\u2019s growth throughout the season.<\/p>\n On Saturday afternoon in Miami, the Rockets (37-21, No. 3 in Western Conference standings<\/a>) will be without at least one starter in Jabari Smith Jr., who sprained his right ankle late in Thursday\u2019s win at Orlando. That could lead to Sheppard being inserted into the starting lineup for a second time in three games, as was the case when Amen Thompson sat out Wednesday\u2019s game versus Sacramento with left quad tendinitis.<\/p>\n Facing the Heat (31-29), who rank among the NBA\u2019s five-best defenses<\/a>, the additional shooting and ball-handling from Sheppard certainly can\u2019t hurt. Tipoff is at 2:30 p.m. Central, with the game televised regionally via Space City Home Network<\/a> and nationally on Prime Video.<\/p>\n