The Rockets didn’t get the win in Friday’s in-state Emirates NBA Cup 2025 showdown at San Antonio, but Houston did see promising signs from one of its most important young prospects.
The 121-110 loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Rockets (5-3), while the Spurs (6-2) took the lead in Western Conference Group C (standings).
Even so, the Rockets did have a clear bright spot. In 26 minutes off the bench, second-year guard Reed Sheppard had one of the most encouraging games of his young NBA career, and particularly when considering the stage and level of competition.
The Kentucky product finished with a season-high 16 points and 6 assists while making 6-of-10 shots (60.0%), including 4-of-7 from 3-point range (57.1%). Houston was +8 in Sheppard’s time on the floor, and he had only one turnover — which was especially noteworthy on a night when the Rockets had a crippling 24 as a team.
“He handled the pressure well and got us into things,” head coach Ime Udoka said postgame. “Didn’t get rattled when they picked up full court. Played with poise. That’s all I can ask.”
“It was frustrating, not getting the win, but it was good to see some shots fall… and kind of get into a good rhythm,” Sheppard added. “But at the end of the day, you want to win. Not winning, you kind of look past how I played.”
Sheppard did struggle at times in Houston’s zone defense. But even so, it was clearly a strong night for the No. 3 overall draft pick from the NBA’s 2024 first round.
With that in mind, the 21-year-old would love to build on it when the Rockets return to action in Milwaukee (6-3) on Sunday afternoon. Tipoff of Rockets-Bucks is at 2:30 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.
“Our scoring isn’t the problem,” Sheppard said of keys to success for the Rockets, who rank No. 2 in the NBA in offensive rating. “We’ve got to just come together in situations when teams are trapping and junking it up, and just make the right simple play… which we will.”
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: In loss at Spurs, Reed Sheppard shows promising signs for Rockets
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
