Yahoo Sports: Your Source for Top Sports Coverage

After a challenging start to the season, Reed Sheppard had finally begun to hit his stride in the past month. Despite initially struggling to earn minutes on a stacked Rockets team and even being sent down to the G-League for a period, Sheppard is now averaging 7.2 points per game in his last five appearances, with 14 minutes of playing time each night. This turnaround showcases his perseverance and determination to make an impact on the court.

Now he will be out at least a month, and likely longer, with a fractured thumb, something Rockets coach Ime Udoka said on Saturday. Udoka said the injury occurred when Reed tried to slap the ball out of Zion Williamson's hands against the Pelicans.

Reed's thumb will be in a splint for a month, at which point he will be re-evaluated. With the playoffs a little more than five weeks away, we may not see Reed for the rest of the regular season (and his playoff minutes would be limited).

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 3: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 3, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Martin McGrew/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Sheppard was the No. 3 pick in last June's NBA Draft and then was a standout at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. However, he struggled with the big club from the start and, for the season, is averaging 3.9 points a game. More concerning is he is shooting 27.9% on 3-pointers. He was finally starting to find a groove in recent weeks, this injury is a setback on that path.