Reed Sheppard's clutch plays keep Rockets alive, give Thunder extra rest

Key facts

• Sheppard scored 12 points, 6 assists, 3 steals in 35 minutes in Game 5.
• He made a pull-up jumper over Deandre Ayton with 2:37 left, then stole the ball from LeBron James and dunked.
• Houston won 99-93 at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday to force Game 6.
• but told reporters he was 'a little sick.'
• The Rockets trail the series 3-2 and aim to become the first team to rally from a 3-0 deficit.
• OKC Thunder benefit from the extended series, giving Jalen Williams more time to recover from a left hamstring injury.

Rockets stave off elimination with Sheppard's late heroics

Reed Sheppard made two critical plays in the final 2:37 of regulation to lift the Houston Rockets to a 99-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, forcing a Game 6 in their first-round playoff series. With the Rockets clinging to a five-point lead, Sheppard pulled up for a jumper over Deandre Ayton. On the ensuing possession, he stripped LeBron James and finished with a dunk, stretching the advantage to seven points. The sequence halted a 10-1 Lakers run and secured Houston's first win of the series after dropping the opening three games. Sheppard finished with 12 points, six assists, and three steals in 35 minutes. but told sideline reporter Ernie Johnson after the game that he was "a little sick,".

A series of struggles and redemption for the sophomore guard

Drafted third overall in 2024, Sheppard essentially redshirted his rookie season, playing just 3.3 minutes per game in last year's playoff loss to Golden State. This regular season, he started 21 games and averaged 26.2 minutes, 13.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range on seven attempts per game. The playoffs have been a different story. In Game 1, Sheppard scored 17 points but needed 20 shots, going 6-of-20 from the field and 5-of-14 from deep. He led the team in shot attempts and missed shots. In Game 2, he went scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting, and coach Ime Udoka limited him to 10 minutes. Game 3 saw 17 points on 21 shots, 6-of-21 from the field, 4-of-13 from three, and five turnovers — including a critical miscue that helped the Lakers erase a six-point lead in the final 30 seconds. Game 4 marked a turnaround: Sheppard scored 17 points on 12 shots, hitting 4-of-7 from deep, and added three steals. His true shooting percentage was 68.3 percent, with an effective field goal percentage of 66.7 percent.

Sheppard's efficiency and defensive impact key in Game 5

In Game 5, Sheppard's shooting was less prolific — he made 5-of-12 from the field and 2-of-6 from three — but his defensive contributions proved decisive. His three steals included the pivotal theft from James, and he registered a quick four points and a steal within a 17-second span in the final 2:37. Houston played without Kevin Durant (ankle) and saw center Alperen Sengun swarmed by the Lakers' defense all night. Sheppard's ability to create his own shot and disrupt passing lanes gave the Rockets a second scoring option and a defensive spark when they needed it most. "Reed Sheppard told Ernie and the crew he is 'a little sick,' which makes his performance even more special," Binkley wrote on X. The 21-year-old guard did not appear on the injury report and showed no signs of illness during the game.

Thunder benefit from extended series as Jalen Williams recovers

While the Rockets celebrate staying alive, the Oklahoma City Thunder are inadvertent beneficiaries of Sheppard's heroics. The Thunder, who swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round, now face a longer wait for their second-round opponent. Star forward Jalen Williams has been sidelined with a left hamstring injury sustained in Game 2 against the Suns. He missed 30 games during the regular season due to two right hamstring strains and has now been out for just over a week. Extended rest is critical for hamstring recovery, and the Rockets' win pushes back the start of the second round, giving Williams more time to heal. Additionally, the longer the Rockets-Lakers series goes, the more fatigued the eventual winner will be when facing the well-rested defending champions. This reduces the pressure on Oklahoma City to rush Williams back onto the floor.

History within reach: Rockets aim for unprecedented comeback

Houston now trails the series 3-2, with Game 6 set for Friday at Toyota Center. No team in NBA history has overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. The Rockets have won two straight and will have home-court advantage for the next game. For Sheppard, the series has been a microcosm of his young career: flashes of brilliance interspersed with inconsistency. His ability to play controlled, confident basketball and limit turnovers will be crucial if Houston hopes to extend the series further. "Each game from here on out is Game 7 for Houston," as one observer noted. The Rockets will need the version of Sheppard that appeared in Games 4 and 5 — efficient, disruptive, and clutch — to keep their postseason dreams alive.

The bottom line

• Reed Sheppard's steal and dunk off LeBron James with 2:37 left sealed Houston's 99-93 win in Game 5.
• Sheppard played through illness, scoring 12 points with 6 assists and 3 steals in 35 minutes.
• After a rocky start to the series (Games 1-3), Sheppard has posted efficient scoring and strong defense in Games 4 and 5.
• The Rockets trail 3-2 and aim to become the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit.
• The Thunder gain extra rest for Jalen Williams, who is recovering from a left hamstring injury, as the series extends.
• Houston's win also increases the likelihood that the second-round opponent will be fatigued from a long first-round series.