Reed Sheppard will get his shot as the starting PG of the Houston Rockets

The real Point Guard U will have yet another starter in the NBA this season, Reed Sheppard expected to take over for the Houston Rockets going into his sophomore campaign as a pro.

It’s hard to celebrate the opportunity too much, knowing it took a tough injury to force the franchise’s hand a few short weeks before the 2025-26 season, but it’s an opportunity nevertheless.

Rockets starting point guard and veteran leader Fred VanVleet, who just signed a two-year, $50 million extension with Houston this offseason, suffered a torn ACL and could miss the entire season with opening night less than a month away. He previously joined the franchise in 2023, signing a three-year, $128 million deal to bring him over from the Toronto Raptors, and had the role locked up with Sheppard previously set to back him up as PG2.

That all changes now with VanVleet out and Sheppard in.

Just in: Houston Rockets' Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, sources tell ESPN. A devastating, potentially season-ending loss for the Rockets with their starting point guard and leader. pic.twitter.com/Qhf0V58DwR

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2025

Sheppard was already named ESPN’s No. 1 sophomore to watch ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season coming off an up-and-down rookie year with the Rockets.

“Sheppard has the chance to be a huge swing factor in Houston’s title chase — in theory, he’s stepping into the perfect situation,” ESPN wrote of the London native. “The question is whether next season is the right time and how the Rockets might have to adjust their depth accordingly. The simple fact is that we haven’t really seen him yet, and what it means for Houston’s place in the arc of this season earns him the top spot on this list.”

He averaged 4.4 points on 35.1 percent shooting and 33.8 percent from three to go with 1.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.7 steals in 12.6 minutes per contest, suiting up in 52 regular-season matchups. His role was extremely limited largely thanks to Houston’s depth, VanVleet joined by Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks and Aaron Holiday in a crowded backcourt that went on to help the Rockets secure the No. 2 seed in the 2025 NBA Western Conference Playoffs.

Now, his role is expanding, whether he’s ready for it or not. Green and Brooks were already shipped off to Phoenix in exchange for future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, followed by VanVleet’s likely season-ending injury. Sheppard sits alone as the top primary ball-handler in the rotation with Thompson and Holiday helping out as versatile pieces.

If he was already a ‘huge swing factor in Houston’s title chase,’ he’s now the biggest swing factor.

The Rockets will open the season against the defending world champion Oklahoma City Thunder, led by reigning league MVP, scoring champion and former Kentucky Wildcat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That matchup will take place on Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Quite the opportunity for Mr. Sheppard in his debut with keys in hand.