The Houston Rockets keep stacking wins, and their latest victory revealed something bigger than another strong performance. It confirmed that Reed Sheppard, the 21-year-old who arrived surrounded by questions, is now officially part of NBA history.
In the Rockets’ emphatic 135–112 win over the Washington Wizards, Sheppard became the youngest guard ever to record four straight double-digit scoring games with a true shooting percentage of 80.0 percent or higher. For a player who began the season fighting for minutes behind Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant, this stretch has transformed the narrative around Houston’s backcourt.
His historic run looks like this:
- 21 PTS (91.8 TS%) – 5/8 from three
- 16 PTS (80.0 TS%) – 4/6 from three
- 16 PTS (80.0 TS%) – 4/7 from three
- 12 PTS (85.7 TS%) – 2/4 from three
What once looked like a developmental year now resembles the early stages of a breakout.
Reed Sheppard Makes History in Rockets Win vs. Wizards
Houston entered the night knowing a win would keep them among the hottest teams in the Western Conference. They did more than that. They overwhelmed Washington from the opening tip, building a 27-point halftime lead and never allowing the Wizards to threaten beyond a brief third-quarter push.
Kevin Durant delivered another efficient outing with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists, setting the tone early as Houston poured in 81 first-half points, their third time reaching 70 or more before halftime this season.
Sheppard then took over stretches of the second half, scoring a season-high 21 points off the bench while hitting big threes that stopped Washington’s attempts at momentum. His rhythm, confidence and quick-trigger release added a new layer to Houston’s already explosive offense.
Tari Eason continued his resurgence with 20 points and six rebounds, providing relentless energy as a sixth man. Amen Thompson filled the stat sheet with 18 points and eight assists, while Alperen Sengun anchored the interior yet again with 16 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Houston finished the night outrebounding Washington 53–37, including a 20–12 edge on the offensive glass, another indicator of how physically imposing this team has become.
Why Sheppard’s Record Matters in Houston’s Bigger Picture
Sheppard’s efficiency streak does more than showcase his shooting. It validates Houston’s decision to entrust the rookie with a meaningful role despite early-season criticism. When Fred VanVleet went down with an ACL tear, Sheppard was pushed into duty sooner than expected, and the growing pains were obvious.
Now, only weeks later, he is rewarding the franchise’s patience. His decision-making has improved, his confidence has stabilized, and his shooting has become a legitimate weapon in the Rockets’ second unit. When he shares the floor with Sengun or Thompson, the spacing opens naturally, and defenses are beginning to recognize that leaving him alone is no longer an option.
His defensive development remains a work in progress, but the offensive upside is becoming impossible to ignore.
A Rising Rookie on a Rising Team
The Rockets’ 7–3 record reinforces what the numbers already show: Houston is no longer a rebuilding team. They are playing like a legitimate Western Conference contender. Their offensive rating is climbing, their chemistry is tightening, and their depth continues to set them apart.
Sheppard’s rise adds yet another dimension to a roster that already features Durant’s leadership, Sengun’s brilliance and Thompson’s athletic all-around game. The Rockets entered the season hoping their rookie could simply keep the offense organized. Instead, he is rewriting NBA history and giving Houston something far more valuable than expected: a long-term asset who is learning to shine in real time.
If this is only the beginning, the Rockets have every reason to believe the best is still ahead.
© Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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