The Houston Rockets have been performing well this season, with a winning record that has consistently placed them among the top three in the Western Conference. Currently, the Rockets have a record of 24 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the West, just half a game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. This lead is not significant enough, so the Rockets need to maintain their winning streak and continue to strive for a higher win rate. Recently, key rotation players for the Rockets, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason, have been sidelined due to injuries, making it challenging for the team to secure victories without them. Despite this setback, the Rockets' new stars have collectively exploded, contributing significantly to the team's success.
In their latest regular-season matchup against the Washington Wizards, the Rockets faced an opponent that was rebuilding and fielding a young lineup that could not match up against them. Jalen Green had an impressive performance, scoring a game-high 29 points along with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. The Rockets' center, Sengun, also had a stable breakout game, scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, with a +29 plus-minus rating, the highest of the game. Aminu Thompson continued to start, shooting 7-for-8 efficiently for 20 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, with zero turnovers.
Together, Jalen Green, Sengun, and Aminu Thompson led the Rockets to a collective outburst, combining for 75 points, 33 rebounds, and 13 assists, leading the team to a 23-point victory over their opponents. So far this season, Jalen Green has become the team's top scorer 15 times, ranking first within the Rockets. Over the last 10 games, Jalen Green has averaged 24.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals, with a shooting percentage of 48.3% and only 1.2 turnovers per game. In his last four games, he has consistently scored over 25 points, demonstrating increasing stability in his performance.
Aminu Thompson has recently joined the starting lineup and has been playing at a high level. In the previous game against the Lakers, he scored 23 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, had 3 assists, and 1 steal, becoming the team's rebound leader. In the game against the Wizards, he again put up impressive numbers with 20 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, once more securing the title of rebound king. Aminu Thompson's ability to score efficiently and consistently, along with his league-leading rebounding and defensive capabilities, has been a pleasant surprise.
Despite the absence of key players like Jabari Smith and Tari Eason, the Rockets have managed to secure two consecutive victories, which is no easy feat. What's even more exciting is the breakout performance of Shepherd in the G League. Previously, Shepherd struggled in NBA games, prompting Udoka to send him down to the G League to find his form and confidence. Surprisingly, in his first game in the G League, Shepherd went on a scoring spree: shooting 17-for-33, he scored an incredible 49 points, along with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, including 27 points in the final quarter alone.
As a rookie lottery pick, Shepherd is not without potential; he just hasn't fully unleashed it yet. Within the Rockets, Shepherd can only play as a substitute, and often a late one at that. When the team is healthy, Tari Eason and Aminu Thompson are the primary sixth men for the Rockets, with players like Whitmore, Tate, and Aaron Holiday also needing playing time off the bench. Shepherd's role as a substitute is often during garbage time, which can be quite challenging. Udoka is correct in saying that assigning Shepherd to the G League is not an indication of lack of ability but rather a strategic move to allow him to maintain his touch by playing substantial minutes every day, which will undoubtedly benefit his development.
