This was a wire-to-wire offensive showcase from the Houston Rockets, who dismantled the Milwaukee Bucks with spacing, ball movement, and elite shot-making. Houston matched Milwaukee’s shooting efficiency but separated itself with execution: 30 assists to just 8 turnovers, constant pace, and a +11 advantage in points off turnovers.
The story, however, belonged to Reed Sheppard, whose perimeter explosion completely warped the game. When Houston shoots like this and shares the ball at this level, they become nearly impossible to keep up with.
Reed Sheppard: A+
Game Stats: 27 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 9-15 FG, 9-14 3-PT FG, 37 MIN
Sheppard delivered a breakout performance that felt inevitable from the opening quarter. Nine made threes isn’t just hot shooting—it’s sustained shot-making under defensive pressure. What elevated this performance was the balance: he didn’t just hunt shots, he created for others and made smart reads. This was star-level shot creation and efficiency combined.
Alperen Sengun: A
Game Stats: 25 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 9-13 FG, 2-2 3-PT FG, 5-6 FT, 29 MIN
Alperen Sengun dominated the interior with efficiency and control. He punished mismatches, made quick decisions, and anchored the offense when the game slowed down. His ability to stretch the floor with two threes added another dimension to his already versatile game.
Amen Thompson: A-
Game Stats: 18 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 5-10 FG, 8-8 FT, 40 MIN
Amen Thompson plays like someone who never takes a possession off. He was everywhere – pushing the ball, crashing the glass, making plays defensively. The free throws? That’s the swing skill, and going perfect from the line matters. It’s not flashy with him; it’s just constant pressure on the game.
Kevin Durant: A-
Game Stats: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST, 2 TOV, 1 BLK, 7-16 FG, 2-6 3-PT FG, 3-4 FT, 39 MIN
Kevin Durant didn’t need to go nuclear scoring-wise because he controlled the game in quieter ways. He picked his spots, drew attention, and kept the offense humming. Nine assists says everything – you could feel him managing the flow more than chasing numbers.
Jabari Smith Jr.: B
Game Stats: 12 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 2 TOV, 2 BLK, 5-15 FG, 2-8 3-PT FG, 33 MIN
Smith contributed across multiple areas but struggled with efficiency. The defensive presence and rebounding were valuable, but offensively he couldn’t find a consistent rhythm. Still, his versatility added to the overall team effort.
Josh Okogie: B
Game Stats: 8 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 TOV, 3-4 FG, 1-2 3-PT FG, 1-2 FT, 13 MIN
Okogie gave them exactly what you want off the bench – energy, quick decisions, and no wasted movement. He came in, made plays, and didn’t overcomplicate anything.
Clint Capela: C+
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 5 REB, 2 TOV, 1 STL, 1-2 FG, 8 MIN
Clint Capela kept things steady inside. Nothing flashy, just rebounds, positioning, and doing the dirty work in short minutes.
Aaron Holiday: C+
Game Stats: 3 PTS, 1 REB, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3-PT FG, 13 MIN
Holiday had a quiet outing, contributing minimally as a shooter and not heavily involved in playmaking.
Tari Eason: C+
Game Stats: 5 PTS, 2 REB, 1-8 FG, 1-7 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT, 24 MIN
Tari Eason couldn’t buy a shot tonight. It happens. What kept this from going sideways was the effort – he still defended, still battled on the glass, still stayed engaged. When the shot comes back, these are the nights that don’t linger.
Jae’Sean Tate: C
Game Stats: 0-1 FG, 3 MIN
Too short of a run to really evaluate. Just a quick stint.
