Rockets Get New Life With Change To Starting Lineup

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets shoots against Aaron Nesmith #23 and T. J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half at Toyota Center on December 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Getty Images Last Wednesday night, the Houston Rockets’ season looked like it was on life support. As has been the tale of their season, their offense had faltered down the stretch of two critical matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers.

On Monday, the Rockets fells to the Lakers 100-92. They followed that up with another loss on Wednesday, 124-116. The team looked to be running in mud, free-falling in the standings.

But then head coach Ime Udoka made the change critics have been calling for all season, inserting second year point guard Reed Sheppard into the starting lineup in place of forward Tari Eason. The Rockets responded by thrashing the surging Atlanta Hawks, on Friday, 117-95. Then, on Saturday, they beat a Miami Heat team that has had their number all season, inching out a win at the buzzer, 123-122, following a game-saving tip-in from Amen Thompson.