Reed

Sheppard

Despite already securing the two-seed in the West, the Rockets have made their key players available for Sunday’s regular-season finale. How much VanVleet and Brooks will play remains to be seen. However, the lack of stakes for Houston should ensure Reed Sheppard of rotation minutes.

Sheppard made a second straight start on Friday, as the Rockets once again rested most of their starters. Houston has secured the two-seed in the West for next week’s playoffs, resulting in players like Sheppard seeing more action. The rookie guard has recorded nine assists and seven turnovers in his two starts. The assist-to-turnover ratio isn’t great, but Sheppard has hit double figures in scoring in both games. Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Nuggets may be another opportunity for Sheppard to start, as Houston already knows its playoff seed.

VanVleet and Brooks are set to miss their second straight meetings with the Clippers. Reed Sheppard and Jeff Green will likely be among the players called upon to notch spot starts against Los Angeles ahead of the weekend.

Sengun and VanVleet sat out Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers, with the former not playing due to a sore back. He’s now questionable for personal reasons. The Rockets started Reed Sheppard at point guard and Jock Landale at the five on Wednesday. They may do the same if VanVleet and Sengun cannot play against the Lakers.

Houston held four starters out for Wednesday’s game, and the fifth, Jalen Green, changed into street clothes during the halftime break. Sheppard was one of the seldom-used players who took on marquee roles in Inglewood, and the rookie had a good night. He shot 6-of-10 from beyond the arc, recording the second 20-point game of his career. If there was an issue for Sheppard, it’s that he had as many turnovers as assists (four). Houston knows it will be the two-seed in the West when the playoffs begin, making it possible that Sheppard gets another start in the Rockets’ final two games of the regular season.

Green is the lone starter in the lineup for Wednesday’s game, as the Rockets are locked into the two-seed in the West. While he has no specific minutes limit, fantasy managers in active leagues should not expect to see Green play full starters’ minutes. Sheppard and Whitmore are the ones to watch, as they aren’t in the regular rotation when everyone is healthy.

After over three weeks on the sidelines with an avulsion fracture in his right thumb, Sheppard was cleared to return on Sunday. Houston winning by 39 points ensured there would be minutes available to the rookie, who finished one blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Sheppard will not help fantasy managers this season, but the opportunities he does receive the rest of the season will be of interest to those preparing for the 2025-26 campaign.

Initially declared out for Sunday’s game, Sheppard will be available after missing a little under one month with an avulsion fracture in his right thumb. While the rookie being available is excellent news for the Rockets, Sheppard is unlikely to get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball.

Sheppard is working his way back from an avulsion fracture in his right thumb, having recently played some 5-on-5. If the rookie is made available for Sunday’s game, he’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball. Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Sheppard might be sent to the team’s G League affiliate for additional reps during his pregame availability.

Sheppard has enjoyed some great moments as a rookie, but he’s largely been out of Houston’s rotation even while Fred VanVleet (ankle) continues to miss time. His extended absence won’t be majorly impactful in the world of fantasy hoops.