Reed Sheppard was upgraded from out to day-to-day with a back issue early Sunday, and the injury report lists Nov. 2 as his expected return. That puts the Rockets guard in line for a possible return Monday against the Celtics.
What happened
Reed Sheppard moved to day-to-day on the injury report at 1:17 a.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1. The issue is his back. He had been listed as out. The report's comment still refers to the weekend: "Sheppard (back) is out for Saturday's game against the Thunder." The report lists Nov. 2 as his expected return. The back problem first kept him out on Oct. 29. On Oct. 31 he moved to day-to-day, then back to out. Earlier, he missed time with a left knee issue. He was ruled out on Oct. 23 and cleared on Oct. 24.
What it means for the Rockets
Houston hosts the Celtics on Monday, Nov. 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Rockets are 6-1, hold the No. 2 seed and won their last game. Sheppard averages 10.5 points, 4.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 23.3 minutes over four games. Houston is 4-0 with him and 2-1 without him. In the games he missed, Fred VanVleet averaged 30.5 minutes and 13.0 points. Marcus Smart averaged 25.3 minutes and 11.8 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic averaged 14.3 minutes and 7.1 points. Alperen Sengun (22.8 points) and Kevin Durant (22.0) led the scoring. VanVleet is day-to-day with a right knee issue. Steven Adams is out with a right calf issue.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Sheppard is cleared for Monday. The report lists Nov. 2 as his expected return, which is the day of the Celtics game. No other timeline has been announced. Watch VanVleet's status too. If both guards are limited, more of the backcourt minutes could go to Smart and Bogdanovic, who covered them in the games Sheppard missed.
Is Reed Sheppard playing vs the Celtics on Nov. 2?
He has not been confirmed. He is day-to-day with a back issue, and the injury report lists Nov. 2, the day of the Celtics game, as his expected return.
When will Reed Sheppard be back?
The injury report lists Nov. 2 as his expected return. No other timeline has been announced.