RADIO
Reed Sheppard Returns Monday Without Minutes Restriction
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (back) will play Monday against the Boston Celtics without a minutes restriction, head coach Ime Udoka told Varun Shankar. Sheppard missed the previous two games with a back issue. The 22-year-old is averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 2.3 threes in 23.3 minutes through four appearances. He has shot just 37.5 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from deep after hitting 39.4 percent of his threes last season. Sheppard should slide back into a regular backcourt role alongside Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Reed Sheppard Sits Out Again on Saturday
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking his second straight absence. Sheppard also missed Friday's loss to Dallas with lower back soreness after struggling in his last appearance, scoring seven points on 2-for-9 shooting and 1-for-8 from three against Milwaukee. Fred VanVleet (knee) is also out, leaving Houston thinner in the backcourt. Marcus Smart should handle more of the ball, while Amen Thompson will have more chances to initiate the offense. Sheppard's next opportunity to return comes Monday against Boston.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Fred VanVleet Ruled Out Saturday
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) will sit out Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to right knee injury management. The 32-year-old played in Friday's 116-111 loss to Dallas, and Houston has been holding him out of one game in back-to-back sets after a torn ACL cost him all of 2025-26. VanVleet is averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists through five appearances. Alperen Sengun (back) is available to return, but Reed Sheppard (back) remains out. That should leave Amen Thompson with more chances to handle the ball, while Marcus Smart can also help organize the offense.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Reed Sheppard Out Friday with Back Soreness
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (back) is out for Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with lower-back soreness. The issue follows Sheppard's 23 minutes in Wednesday's win over Milwaukee. He is averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in 23.3 minutes over four appearances, shooting 28.1 percent from three. Sheppard has already missed one game this season because of a left knee bone bruise. His absence should keep Tari Eason busy off the bench, while Bogdan Bogdanovic could also see more work if Marcus Smart (forearm) remains sidelined.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Marcus Smart Sidelined Against Atlanta
Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart (forearm) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks with a left forearm strain. The 32-year-old was a late addition to the injury report and had been in line to start with Fred VanVleet (knee) sitting the second leg of the back-to-back. Smart has averaged 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in 23.5 minutes through two games. Reed Sheppard (knee) returns at a good time for Houston and should get a longer look on the ball with Smart and VanVleet both unavailable.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Reed Sheppard Back in Action for Rockets on Saturday
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) is set to return Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks after sitting out Friday's win over San Antonio, according to The Athletic's Will Guillory. The 22-year-old had three points, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 16 minutes in the opener against Dallas before missing one game with a left knee bone bruise. With Fred VanVleet (knee) and Marcus Smart (forearm) both out, Sheppard has a clear path to more minutes and ballhandling work alongside Amen Thompson. He averaged 13.5 points, 2.8 threes, and 1.5 steals last season, making Saturday a good opportunity to show what he can do with a larger role.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Reed Sheppard Ruled Out Friday Against Spurs
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left knee bone bruise. The third-year guard was limited to three points in 16 minutes during Wednesday's 128-110 win over Dallas, shooting 1-for-6 from deep while committing three turnovers. Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic are the most likely candidates for extra backcourt minutes with Sheppard unavailable. Houston plays again Saturday in Atlanta, so Sheppard's status will be worth monitoring ahead of the second half of the back-to-back.
Source: Matt Guzman
Source: Matt Guzman
Reed Sheppard Questionable Against Spurs
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (knee) is questionable for Friday's matchup with San Antonio due to a left knee contusion and bone bruise, per the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 22-year-old is coming off a quiet opener against Dallas, scoring three points on 1-for-6 shooting from deep with three turnovers in 16 minutes. Marcus Smart played 26 minutes off the bench, while Fred VanVleet's return has tightened Houston's backcourt rotation. If Sheppard sits, Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic could see additional work. Sheppard averaged 13.5 points, 2.8 threes and 1.5 steals last season.
Source: Varun Shankar
Source: Varun Shankar
Fred VanVleet to Skip One Game of Back-to-Back Sets
According to The Athletic, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said guard Fred VanVleet will sit out one game in back-to-back sets early in the regular season. The 32-year-old missed the entire 2025-26 campaign after tearing his right ACL. Houston will likely manage VanVleet's workload carefully as he works his way back to full strength. While his playing time could be limited early on, his ability to contribute three-pointers, assists, and steals should keep him fantasy-relevant once he returns to a full workload.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Fred VanVleet Cleared of Minutes Restriction for Season Opener
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) will not face a minutes restriction as the season opens, head coach Ime Udoka told Lachard Binkley of SI.com. Houston will remain cautious with back-to-backs, which could create extra opportunities for Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart. VanVleet missed all of 2025-26 after tearing his right ACL but returned with 17 points, five triples, and seven assists in 24 preseason minutes against Dallas. His shot volume could dip alongside Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson, but his threes, assists, and steals should keep him fantasy-relevant with a full workload.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Fred VanVleet Turns in Impressive Preseason Debut
Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet posted 17 points (5-for-12 on field goals, 5-for-12 from three, 2-for-3 on free throws), seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over Dallas. Friday's contest marked VanVleet's first appearance since suffering a torn ACL more than a year ago. The 32-year-old looked productive in his return, but Houston could manage his minutes early in the regular season as he works his way back from the serious injury. A limited workload could affect his fantasy value to begin the campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Fred VanVleet Faces Early Minutes Limit
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) isn't expected to play both ends of back-to-backs to begin the season, while any minutes restriction will depend on how he progresses through training camp, according to head coach Ime Udoka. The 32-year-old missed all of last season after tearing his right ACL during an offseason workout. In his last healthy campaign, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 threes while shooting 37.8 percent from the field. The steals and perimeter shooting still offer fantasy value, but the early workload management lowers his volume. Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart could see additional ball-handling opportunities whenever VanVleet sits.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Fred VanVleet to Skip Back-to-Backs Early in Season
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) will not play in back-to-backs initially this season, head coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday. The good news is that VanVleet "looks good" and is taking part in full-contact, five-on-five work as he returns from the torn ACL that cost him all of 2025-26. The 32-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals on 37.8 percent shooting in his last healthy season. Reed Sheppard should have more opportunities to handle the offense whenever VanVleet rests, while Marcus Smart gives Houston another veteran option in the backcourt.
Source: Jackson Gatlin
Source: Jackson Gatlin
Fred VanVleet Ramps Up Contact Work
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) has taken another step in his ramp-up before training camp, according to Brian Barefield of Big Sarge Media. Head coach Ime Udoka said VanVleet has "really ramped it up" while rehabbing in San Diego and has progressed to back-to-back work and contact activity. That builds on VanVleet's earlier expectation that he would be ready for the preseason opener, but Houston still has camp and exhibition games to gauge his workload. If he avoids a setback, VanVleet's return would tighten Reed Sheppard's path to usage after the young guard averaged 13.5 points on 43.0 percent shooting across 82 games last season.
Source: Brian Barefield
Source: Brian Barefield
Fred VanVleet Targets Preseason Return for Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) expects to be on the floor in October when Houston opens the preseason in Macao, China, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Wright notes that VanVleet has been back on the court "full-time, ramping up, feeling good" after missing all of 2025-26 with a torn right ACL. His return should restore some late-game organization for a team that struggled when defenses loaded up on Kevin Durant. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers in his last healthy season, though the 37.8 percent shooting still hurts. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard gained valuable reps in his absence, but VanVleet profiles as the chief setup man for Durant and Alperen Sengun if he avoids setbacks.
Source: Michael C. Wright
Source: Michael C. Wright
