Rockets Struggle to Find Consistent Lead Guard

Injuries and limitations of current options leave Houston searching for answers at point guard

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Houston Rockets have lacked consistent production from an efficient lead guard all season, as injuries to Fred VanVleet and the limitations of Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and Kevin Durant in that role have created mixed results on offense. The team has had to rely more on stars like Durant and Alperen Sengun to handle the ball, but that has come at the expense of their efficiency.

Why it matters

The Rockets' inability to find a reliable lead guard has hampered their overall offensive effectiveness and competitiveness this season. Without a true floor general to set up the offense and get the team's stars the ball in their preferred spots, the Rockets have struggled to maximize their talent and potential.

The details

With VanVleet out injured, the Rockets have turned to a combination of Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and even Kevin Durant to handle point guard duties. Thompson has grown as a passer but struggles to shoot, while Sheppard is an able shooter but limited on defense. Durant has had to shoulder more playmaking responsibility, leading to increased turnovers as he tries to create his own offense.

  • VanVleet has been sidelined the entire 2026-27 NBA season due to injury.
  • Thompson and Sheppard have been given increased opportunities to run the offense in VanVleet's absence.

The players

Fred VanVleet

The Rockets' starting point guard who has been out injured all season.

Amen Thompson

A young guard who has taken on more ball-handling responsibilities in VanVleet's absence, but struggles with his outside shooting.

Reed Sheppard

An able shooter who has seen increased playing time at point guard, but is limited on the defensive end.

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star forward who has had to handle more playmaking duties with the lack of a true lead guard, leading to increased turnovers.

Alperen Sengun

The Rockets' other star player who has seen his efficiency drop as he's had to create more offense off the dribble.

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What’s next

The Rockets will need to find a way to get more consistent production from their point guard position, either through the return of VanVleet or the continued development of Thompson and Sheppard, in order to maximize their talent and make a push in the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Rockets' inability to find a reliable lead guard has been a major issue all season, forcing them to rely more on their stars to handle the ball and create offense. This has come at the expense of their overall efficiency and competitiveness, highlighting the importance of having a true floor general to run the team.