The Houston Rockets are in the thick of a season that’s starting to feel like a crossroads. After a string of losses to teams they probably should’ve handled, questions are swirling-not just about their execution, but about their identity.
At times, especially in tight fourth quarters, the offense has looked disjointed. The kind of disjointed that makes you wonder: who’s steering the ship when the game slows down?
That’s where the conversation around Reed Sheppard has started to pick up steam.
Sheppard, one of the few true point guards on the Rockets’ roster, has been a steadying presence when he’s on the floor. His feel for the game, ability to manage tempo, and willingness to make the simple play have drawn some attention. And with the Rockets struggling to find rhythm late in games, some are wondering if it’s time to give Sheppard a shot in the starting lineup-possibly even at the expense of Amen Thompson.
Now, Thompson is far from your traditional floor general. His game leans more toward the Ben Simmons archetype: rangy, athletic, and a bit unconventional as a primary ball handler. But what he lacks in traditional point guard polish, he more than makes up for on the defensive end-and that’s a big part of why head coach Ime Udoka isn’t ready to make a change.
“Not right now, if ever,” Udoka said when asked if Sheppard might replace Thompson in the starting five.
Here was Ime response when asked about possibly moving Reed into the starting lineup for Amen.
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 10, 2026
“Not right now if ever” https://t.co/g8QmlLRTFV pic.twitter.com/A5Qw2XEXrw
That’s a pretty definitive stance, and it lines up with how Udoka has approached this team all season. Defense comes first, and Thompson has been a standout on that end.
He’s one of the league’s top perimeter defenders, and his versatility helps cover for Alperen Sengun’s defensive gaps in the paint. Swapping in Sheppard-who, for all his offensive upside, has his own challenges defensively-would be a significant trade-off.
Udoka’s commitment to defense was on full display in the Rockets’ recent win over the Clippers. Just days after Kawhi Leonard torched them for 41 points, Houston bounced back and held Leonard to a more manageable 24. That effort, combined with a focused eight-man rotation, helped the Rockets secure a 102-95 win over a shorthanded Clippers squad.
Kevin Durant led the way with 26 points, one of five Rockets to hit double figures. It wasn’t just a bounce-back win-it was a tone-setter. Houston showed they can lock in, clamp down, and grind out a win when they stick to their defensive principles.
And that’s the lens through which Udoka is clearly viewing this roster. He’s tightening the rotation, leaning on guys who bring consistency on both ends, and reinforcing the team’s defensive identity. For now, that means Thompson stays in the starting lineup, and Sheppard continues to play a supporting role.
The Rockets still have work to do. They’re a young team navigating the ups and downs of a long season, trying to find their footing while building toward something more sustainable. But if Tuesday night’s win is any indication, they’re still very much in the fight-and they’re doing it their way.