In Friday’s 2025 NBA summer-league opener, Reed Sheppard led the Rockets with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals during a close loss to the Clippers.
In Friday’s opening game of the NBA’s 2025 summer league for both teams, the Houston Rockets fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 95-92 (box score).
It was a strong showing for second-year Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, who finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 assists, and 3 blocks while making 6-of-15 shots from 3-point range (40.0%). The 21-year-old Kentucky product was the game’s high scorer, and he combined for 7 steals and blocks, or “stocks.”
“That’s been a big thing that we’ve been working on this offseason, for sure… being more physical on the defensive end,” Sheppard said, via Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Other statistical lines of note included:
Kennedy Chandler (Rockets): 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%)Kevon Harris (Rockets): 10 points, 4 steals; 3-of-7 shooting (42.9%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (50.0%)N’Faly Dante (Rockets): 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%)Jordan Miller (Clippers): 23 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-18 shooting (38.9%), 7-of-9 on free throws (77.8%)Cam Christie (Clippers): 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75.0%)
The game was played at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion in Las Vegas, and it’s the first of at least five that both teams will play over the next 10 days.
The Rockets will resume their summer-league schedule on Sunday afternoon versus the Detroit Pistons (1-0), with tipoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Central. The game will be televised live on ESPN2.
For a second straight offseason, Garrett Jackson is serving as head coach of the summer Rockets (complete roster). During the regular season, Jackson is among Ime Udoka’s assistant coaches.