Reed Sheppard and Cason Wallace have been putting up big numbers this week
The subsequent nice batch of NBA guards from the University of Kentucky has been making their mark this week. Houston’s Reed Sheppard and Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace proceed to place collectively big-time statlines for his or her respective playoff-bound groups.
We’ll begin with Sheppard, who hit double-digits in scoring for the eighth straight recreation on Thursday night time. The second-year level guard dropped 20 factors within the Rockets’ 113-108 street win over the Orlando Magic, tackling on 4 assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks for good measure. At one level, Sheppard and Kevin Durant went on a run the place they scored or assisted on 21 straight Houston factors. A 19-point deficit for the Rockets within the third quarter become a lead after simply 4 minutes. His dagger three with 22 seconds to go within the fourth gave Houston a seven-point lead.
But it was Sheppard’s efficiency the night time earlier than that had the NBA world buzzing.
The former Wildcat popped off for 28 factors on a career-high seven made three-pointers in a 128-97 blowout victory in opposition to the lowly Sacramento Kings. It was simply Sheppard’s seventh begin of the season, one which resulted in Houston’s largest win of the 2025-26 marketing campaign. His unimaginable offensive skillset is slowly starting to outweigh his defensive deficiencies. And Houston’s head coach seems to be seeing the identical factor. Sheppard has averaged 27.4 minutes per outing over his final eight contests. The Rockets (at present third within the West at 37-21) went 6-2 in these video games.
After a poor rookie season, sophomore Reed Sheppard is popping into an offensive star. Durant loves him. Sheppard remains to be solely 21 years previous. He’s going to have a recreation or two within the playoffs when all the basketball world learns his identify.
Cason Wallace stepping up as PG1
Meanwhile, a lot of the basketball world already is aware of about Cason Wallace after his run alongside MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to final yr’s NBA Finals. But Wallace is attempting to show he may be greater than only a secondary guard for the Thunder. He’s completed simply that whereas Gilgeous-Alexander has been sidelined as a consequence of an stomach pressure. In the 9 video games that SGA (who is anticipated to make his return on Friday night time) has missed, Wallace fortunately stepped up as PG1.
Wallace, solely 22 years previous, has averaged 13.2 factors, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and two steals in 31.2 minutes per outing over his final 9. OKC went 5-4 in these video games to remain atop the Western Conference standings with an general file of 45-15. Wallace has had some ups and downs throughout this stretch, however his final three video games have been particular. He dropped 20 factors and 10 assists in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, a career-high 27 factors (plus seven assists and eight rebounds) in opposition to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, then one other 23 factors and 5 assists on Wednesday in opposition to the Detroit Pistons.
Labeled as a defense-first guard, Wallace is starting to indicate off his offensive skillset. He shot 11-19 from deep during the last three contests and went 16-31 on his twos. SGA’s absence would possibly finish up being a blessing in disguise as OKC appears to be like to repeat as champions. Wallace is totally able to working the present for brief stints whereas the MVP favourite catches his breath. He’s going to have a enjoyable watch come the playoffs.
Don’t overlook about Tyrese Maxey!
Tyrese Maxey is already a well-established multi-time All-Star for the Philadelphia 76ers at 25 years previous, however regardless of his younger age, he is setting franchise information. After capturing 5-12 from deep in Thursday night time’s 124-117 win over the Miami Heat, Maxey is now the Sixers’ all-time chief in three-pointers made with 886, surpassing the legendary Allen Iverson (885) alongside the best way.
After taking one other leap along with his recreation this season, Maxey has Philly at 33-26, ok for sixth within the East. He’s averaging 29.1 factors, 6.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals (all career-highs!!) per outing whereas enjoying extra minutes (38.4 per recreation) than anybody else in all the league. These younger Kentucky guards have at the very least one other decadence value of dominance left within the tank.
