Breakdown
Performance
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April 25, 2026
Back in starting lineup Friday
Sheppard ended with 17 points (6-21 FG, 4-13 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals in 46 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Analysis
Sheppard moved back into the starting lineup after Kevin Durant was earlier ruled out with an ankle injury. While it was a much-improved performance by Sheppard, it ultimately wasn't enough, with Houston losing in overtime. The two teams will meet again in Game 4 on Sunday, when the Rockets will look to force a Game 5 back in Los Angeles.
April 24, 2026
Starting Game 3
Sheppard will start Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
Analysis
After coming off the bench and playing just 11 minutes in Tuesday's Game 2 loss, Sheppard will return to the first unit. The second-year guard started Saturday's Game 1 loss, during which he posted 17 points, eight assists, one rebound, one steal and one block in 36 minutes.
April 23, 2026
Expanded role on tap for Game 3
Head coach Ime Udoka said Thursday that Sheppard will see more playing time in Game 3 on Friday against the Lakers, per Lachard Binkley of SI.com.
Analysis
Sheppard logged just 11 minutes, his lowest total of 2025-26 including the regular season, during Houston's Game 2 loss in Los Angeles, but that's expected to change Friday. Udoka didn't specify if Sheppard would start, but the likes of Josh Okogie, Jae'Sean Tate and Aaron Holiday all appear to be in danger of losing out on minutes in Game 3.
April 22, 2026
Scoreless in Game 2 loss
Sheppard logged zero points (0-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt), three assists and one steal across 11 minutes during Tuesday's 101-94 loss to the Lakers in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Analysis
Sheppard hit rock bottom, failing to score for the first time all season. After playing a substantial role in Game 1, Sheppard was basically an afterthought, logging just 11 minutes following the return of Kevin Durant. Now trailing 0-2 in the series, Houston will head home, where it will look to wrestle back some momentum.
April 22, 2026
Not starting Tuesday
Sheppard won't start Tuesday's Game 2 against the Lakers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Analysis
With Kevin Durant (knee) back in the lineup, Sheppard will slide to the second unit. Over 61 regular-season appearances off the bench, he averaged 12.9 points, 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 24.8 minutes per contest.
April 19, 2026
Steps up with 17 points
Sheppard racked up 17 points (6-20 FG, 5-14 3Pt), one rebound, eight assists, one block and one steal across 36 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Analysis
Sheppard assumed a larger role with Kevin Durant (knee) in street clothes. Josh Okogie was effective on defense, but he couldn't fill the production gap left by Durant. Much of that responsibility fell to Sheppard and Jabari Smith, who tried to keep the team afloat against a powerful performance from the Lakers. Sheppard was able to muster 17 points thanks to a high shot volume, but he only converted 30 percent of those attempts. Despite the shooting deficiency, he recorded an excellent fantasy total thanks to eight rebounds, matching his second-highest total of the season in the category.