Reed Sheppard leads Rockets to largest comeback of season in win over Spurs

If that was not enough, Sheppard helped the Rockets reclaim the lead with this nifty reverse layup high off the glass moments later.

Sheppard came into the game only averaging a modest 12.8 points per game, but this is not the first time he has thrived for the Rockets this season. This was Sheppard's sixth game with 20 or more points this season, including a career-high 31 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 26.

Sheppard was the third overall pick by Houston in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he only averaged 12.6 minutes per game in 52 contests during his rookie season.

However, he has become a key part of Houston's rotation this season, logging 29 minutes off the bench and posting the best plus-minus (+15) of anyone on the team. Speaking of coming off the bench, that is nothing new for Sheppard, who spent the majority of his only season at Kentucky in that same role under head coach John Calipari.

Four of Houston's starters scored in double-figures, led by center Alperen Sengun's 20 points (7-of-13 FG), 13 rebounds and nine assists. Two-time champion Kevin Durant had 18 points (7-of-12 FG) and seven assists, but he did not have to do much with Sheppard taking over down the stretch.

This was the second meeting of the season between the Spurs and Rockets after San Antonio prevailed, 121-110, back on Nov. 7. The Rockets trailed by as many as 12 in that one, but were outscored by the Spurs, 35-28, in the fourth quarter.

It was the complete opposite this time around as Sheppard put the team on his back and put together his latest impressive performance off the bench for the Rockets.