Reed Sheppard Cleared for Monday as Rockets Dodge Another Injury Bullet

Ime Udoka has officially cleared Reed Sheppard to play Monday night against the Boston Celtics after a brief scare with a back injury. For a Houston Rockets team that is currently holding its rotation together with athletic tape and pure stubbornness, this is the equivalent of finding water in the desert.

Sheppard’s return immediately stabilizes a backcourt that was staring into the abyss. If you are looking at the prop markets for Monday’s slate, his availability completely changes the math for Houston's offensive distribution against a brutal Boston defense.

"Udoka: Reed Sheppard (back) available to play Monday."

The young guard has essentially been forced to play the role of an iron man this season. With Fred VanVleet sidelined by a major knee injury before the campaign even really got going, Sheppard was thrust into playing over 30 minutes a night just to keep the offense functional.

Dealing with a back issue at 22 years old is usually reserved for guys who sleep on bad mattresses, not professional athletes. But when you are carrying the playmaking load for a depleted roster, the wear and tear adds up fast.

Houston actually survived the initial wave of injuries, ripping off a 13-4 start earlier in the year before gravity and a brutal schedule dragged them back down to a .500 reality. They just blew out the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-98 on Sunday, but doing that on a back-to-back against Boston requires all hands on deck.

The Celtics are going to test exactly how healthy that back really is the second he steps on the floor. If Sheppard can handle the physical pressure from Boston's perimeter defenders, the Rockets might actually have a fighting chance to string together another winning streak.