Reed Sheppard doesn’t play as the Rockets defeat the Warriors in a thrilling game to go to the NBA Cup semifinals.

Reed Sheppard did not play in the Houston Rockets’ thrilling 91-90 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, as coach Ime Udoka stuck with an eight-man rotation for the NBA Cup quarterfinal game. Udoka relied on his more experienced players, such as Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Aaron Holiday, to handle the offense down the stretch.

The Rockets made a dramatic comeback after trailing 90-84 with 3:03 left. Fred VanVleet hit a crucial three-pointer to cut the deficit, and Alperen Sengun followed up with a layup. After Steph Curry missed a long jumper, Jalen Green sealed the win for Houston with two free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining. Jabari Smith Jr. also played a key role, blocking Brandin Podziemski’s potential game-winner.

Sheppard’s Role in the Rotation

Despite being selected as the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, Sheppard has struggled to earn consistent minutes in the Rockets’ backcourt. Many expected him to serve as a backup point guard or shooting guard, but Udoka has instead relied on veterans such as Aaron Holiday, who shares playmaking duties with Jalen Green and Sengun when VanVleet sits out. Sheppard has been limited in his role, with Dillon Brooks often filling the primary gunner role.

While Sheppard has shown flashes of strong two-way potential, he remains a third-string option behind the team’s veterans. However, with the long season ahead, there is still hope that Sheppard could see more playing time in future games, particularly in closer contests.

Upcoming for the Rockets

The Rockets are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals, and it remains to be seen whether Sheppard will get more action in that game. Rockets fans will be watching closely to see how Udoka manages the rotation moving forward and whether the rookie can carve out a more significant role.