Insider highlights Durant’s role in Reed Shepard’s breakthrough

Reid Shepard’s transformation with the Houston Rockets was as dramatic as it was inspiring, and according to insiders, Kevin Durant played a key role in helping the young guard regain confidence.

On October 24, Shepard had just suffered a rough outing in a home loss to Detroit, scoring just nine points on 3-for-11 shooting while committing three turnovers.

A night to remember for @reed_sheppard!

🚀 31 PTS (career high)
🚀 9 REB (career high)
🚀 5 AST
🚀 4 3 in the afternoon
🚀 2 BLK
🚀 add v

He becomes the second youngest player in Rockets history to record 30+ points, 8+ rebounds and 5+ aces in a game, trailing only Alperen Sengun! pic.twitter.com/DNCSC0573D

— NBA (@NBA) November 27, 2025

Forty-five minutes later, he walked into Houston’s locker room, head down and visibly frustrated. The promising point guard looked anything but the confident shooter the Rockets had hoped to see during training camp.

But Durant, sensing the moment, didn’t need a formal conversation or a long lecture. Sitting at his locker, the superstar approached Shepard and said:

“Two down, we’ve got 80 to go.”

It was short but impactful message: October was too early for negative body language, not with an 82-game season coming up and so much potential to unlock.

Shepard, nodding in acknowledgementhe left the interaction with a renewed sense of purpose.

The results were immediate. In his last game against Golden State, Shepard exploded for 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists, shooting 48% from the field and 33% from three.

This performance signals Shepard as a strong candidate for Most Improved Player, showing the development that has come from Durant’s tutelage.

Over the last ten games, Shepard is averaging 17.1 points per game, making 53.8% of his field goals and 47.1% of his 3-pointers, along with 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

His growth is evident not only at home; he averaged 13.6 points on the road, but against elite competition, as his standout performance against the Warriors shows.

Shepard’s breakthrough is a testament to the Rockets’ long-term development plan and the mentorship of established stars like Durant. The veteran’s ability to recognize moments of doubt and provide encouragement underscores why leadership in the locker room is just as important as talent on the floor.

If Shepard continues this trajectory, the Rockets could have a dynamic two-way guard who can score in bunches, facilitate teammates and make an immediate impact on both ends, all fueled by a small but meaningful interaction with Kevin Durant.