Rockets guard Reed Sheppard was upgraded from out to day-to-day with a back issue on Saturday's injury report. The change puts him in play for Saturday night's home game against the Thunder.
What happened
Reed Sheppard is day-to-day with a back issue, according to the injury report filed at 1:16 AM ET on Saturday, Oct. 31. He had been listed as out with the same back issue on Thursday, Oct. 29. The report lists Oct. 31 as his expected return date. The report also noted that Houston picked up Sheppard's fourth-year team option Friday, per Lachard Binkley of SI.com. This is his second injury listing in the past 10 days. He was day-to-day and then out with a left knee issue from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23, and was cleared on Oct. 24.
What it means for the Rockets
Houston hosts the Thunder on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8:30 PM ET on NBA TV. The Rockets are 5-1, second in the standings, and lost their last game. In four games, Sheppard averages 10.5 points, 4.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 23.3 minutes. Houston is 4-0 with him and 1-1 without him. In the games he missed, Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson each played 34.8 minutes. Fred VanVleet played 30.5 minutes and scored 13.0 points. Marcus Smart added 21.8 minutes off the bench and Tari Eason added 24.9. Alperen Sengun, who averaged 24.5 points in those games, is also day-to-day with a back issue. Steven Adams is out with a right calf issue.
What to watch
The next injury report before the 8:30 PM ET tip against the Thunder will show whether Sheppard is cleared to play. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 31, which is game day. No minutes limit has been announced. Sengun's status for Saturday is also worth tracking, since both players are listed with back issues. The Rockets' schedule beyond the Thunder game has not been announced here.
Is Reed Sheppard playing vs the Thunder on Saturday?
He is day-to-day with a back issue, upgraded from out. A final decision for the 8:30 PM ET game has not been announced.
When will Reed Sheppard be back?
The injury report lists Oct. 31 as his expected return date, the same day Houston hosts the Thunder. A final decision has not been announced.