Image Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Reed Sheppard Leads Scoring Charts with 29 Points as Houston Rockets Wrap Up Preseason with a Win

Houston Rockets ended their preseason campaign with 4-0 record.

Image Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Houston Rockets handed a 133-115 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks and wrapped up their preseason run with a perfect 4-0 record. The game that saw all of the team’s starters sitting out saw the Rockets’ second unit stepping up and putting on a dynamic performance. Reed Sheppard, a second-year Rockets guard, led the scoring charts with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals. He was shooting 12-of-22 from the field (54.5%) and 5-of-13 from deep in 26 minutes on the court.

Have a day, @reed_sheppard!

🚀 29 PTS
🚀 6 REB
🚀 6 AST
🚀 4 STL
🚀 3 BLK
🚀 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/r5jHwhKVE0
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2025

The Rockets were out without numerous rotational regulars in the preseason finale. Players such as Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, Jabari Smith Jr., and Clint Capela were rested ahead of a challenging regular-season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on next Tuesday. In their absence, the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft showed confidence and with his shooting skills as well as pulled off a memorable night in terms of defense as well.

Apart from him, Josh Okogie dropped 28 points, three rebounds, and three assists while Isaiah Crawford had 20 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Jeff Green and Aaron Holiday put up 16 points, each, for the Rockets, whereas JD Davison and Kevon Harris finished with 14 and 10 points, respectively. The Hawks, on the other hand, were led by Zaccharie Risacher’s 24 points, while Kristaps Porzingis dropped 23 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists.

Reed Sheppard Reveals Kevin Durant’s Influence on Rockets

After the game, Reed Sheppard spoke on the influence Kevin Durant has had on the team along with how his habits have motivated the youngster. Talking about Durant’s work ethic, Sheppard revealed what he learnt from his new teammate, “For me, that’s an easy one. I would just say his work ethic. When he walks into the gym and starts working out, you can tell just how hard he works. He’s going game speed every time he touches the ball, so that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned,” said Sheppard.

“You can tell it’s definitely benefited him. You know what he does, you know how he plays. So seeing him work that hard has been good for me.” Sheppard also revealed how it feels to share a locker room with the two-time NBA champion. “It’s really cool for me. I’m still young, so I grew up watching him. And now being on the same team as him is really cool,” said the Kentucky alum.

Notably, the Rockets acquired Kevin Durant from Phoenix Suns this offseason in a historic seven-team trade. In his preseason debut with the Rockets, Durant posted 20 points with 7-for-10 shooting as the side recorded a 140-127 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Houston Rockets

Reed Sheppard

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.