Ben DuBose, Rockets WireThu, February 26, 2026 at 4:27 AM UTC·2 min readHOUSTON -- With Amen Thompson sidelined by left quadricep tendinitis, the Rockets found a suitable starting lineup replacement during Wednesday’s 128-97 beatdown (box score) of the lowly Sacramento Kings.
Houston (36-21) remains in the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings, while Sacramento (13-47) continues to own the NBA’s worst record.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith Thompson sidelined, Reed Sheppard stepped in as Houston’s primary ball-handler and finished with a game-high 28 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers in 16 attempts (43.8%).
For the Rockets, Wednesday’s game wrapped up a 2-0 homestand at Toyota Center. Other statistics of note included:
Alperen Sengun: 26 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 blocks; 2 steals; 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%), 7-of-8 on free throws (87.5%)
Kevin Durant: 21 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
Josh Okogie: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, +30 in 24 minutes; 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%)
Russell Westbrook (Kings): 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%)
For Sengun, it was his third triple-double of the 2025-26 season and the 11th of his five-year NBA career.
Defensively, the Rockets held an opponent below 100 points for the 10th time this season. They are 10-0 in those games, with six having come since January 1.
Houston is 17-0 when holding opponents to 102 or fewer points.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext up for the Rockets is a three-game Eastern Conference road trip versus Orlando, Miami, and Washington. Tipoff of Thursday’s game versus the Magic (31-26), which will be night two of a split back-to-back for Houston, is at 6:30 p.m. Central.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka expressed optimism Wednesday that Thompson could return versus the Magic, but it will likely be a game-time decision.
More: Amen Thompson to miss at least one game for Rockets with quad injury
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets 128, Kings 97: Reed Sheppard erupts with career-high seven 3s
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