“An absolute threat on the scouting report,” Nuggets head coach David Edelman says of Reed Shepard, a rotation newcomer with the 2025-26 Rockets. “At any moment, he can get fired up and turn the game.”
The biggest reason was second-year guard Reed Shepard. The 21-year-old Kentucky product scored a career-high 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting (69.2%), including 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%).
“Reed Shepard is gone,” Nuggets coach David Edelman said after the game. “We know how talented he is.”
In comments to Rockets Wire, Edelman detailed how Shepard — who, as a rookie, didn’t feature largely in Houston’s rotation last season — has transformed the Rockets this season.
When asked what Shepard brings to the table, Edelman said:
Just more scoring, more pick-and-roll ball-handling. Full threat on scouting report. It just adds another layer. I think all teams would like this kind of player, who can turn the game around at any time.
You have to protect him. He can get hot and hit five 3s in a quarter. That’s what that kid can do.
He just adds something… Last year, it was very defensive mentality. They (the Rockets) upset you to win the game. Adding (Kevin) Durant, who is historically incredible offensively, and then a kid like Shepard — who can turn a game offensively — it just adds another element to their team that they didn’t have last year.
To Edelman’s point, this version of the Rockets – with Durant and Shepard in key roles – currently ranks No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rating. Houston ranked 12th last season.
The Rockets (10-4) are currently one game behind Denver (12-4) for the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings, so it should be a competitive rivalry all season long. Based on Shepard’s productivity in the first of three scheduled meetings, he appears to be a key variable that could give the Rockets a chance to compete against the perennial NBA title contender.
“We didn’t execute well and we had to fight from behind to come back,” said Shepard, who joined Houston as the No. 3 overall draft pick in the NBA’s 2024 first-round pick. “It’s a tough loss. But we’ll take a lot of good things from it.”
Chief among those lessons is the ability of Shepard, who led Houston in scoring, while Durant and Alpern Sengun combined for several points. Combine that version of Shepard with the inevitable bounce-back performances from that All-Star duo, and the Rockets should be able to compete against anyone.
Next up for the Rockets is a challenging road game at Phoenix (10-6), which begins a four-game West road trip. For Durant, this is his first return trip to face the team that traded him to the Rockets a few months ago.
Rockets-Suns tipoff is Monday night at 8:30 pm Central, and the game will be broadcast on Peacock for a national audience.
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