Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard shine as Rockets beat Heat at buzzer
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HOUSTON -- On a night when Kevin Durant made NBA history and led his team in scoring, it was two younger Rockets who stole the show versus the Miami Heat.
Reed Sheppard (23 points, 14 assists, 4 steals, 0 turnovers) and Amen Thompson (24 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists) were outstanding in Saturday’s 123-122 victory, which wasn’t decided until Thompson’s winning tip shot as time expired.
Sheppard connected on 8-of-12 shots (66.7%), including 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%), and the Rockets were a team-best +17 in his 37 minutes.
"You can see him growing up right before your eyes," head coach Ime Udoka said of the second-year guard, who earned a promotion to Houston’s starting lineup one day earlier.
Meanwhile, Thompson made 10-of-17 shots (58.8%) and had seven rebounds on offense, including the final to tip in a Durant miss on the final possession.
“I’m proud of him,” Durant said of Thompson.
"I'm proud of him."
KD speaks on Amen's game-winning @TISSOT buzzer-beater, while also reflecting on passing Michael Jordan for 5th on the all-time scoring list 👏 https://t.co/pDzLwGj6jHpic.twitter.com/GNsRw8qo4D— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2026
Durant led the way with 27 points while making 5-of-9 3-pointers (55.6%), including a late trey that allowed the 37-year-old to pass Michael Jordan for No. 5 on the all-time NBA points list.
“Great to do it in a win,” Udoka said of the milestone,
Bam Adebayo (32 points, 21 rebounds) and Tyler Herro (25 points, 4 assists) delivered big games for Miami, but it wasn’t quite enough versus a top-heavy Houston squad.
In a star-studded matchup at center, Alperen Sengun countered Adebayo with 19 points and 12 rebounds while making 9-of-13 shots (69.2%).
With the win, the Rockets (43-27) remain at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, while Miami (38-33) slipped to No. 9 in the East.
Saturday’s victory secured a winning 3-2 homestand for the Rockets, who will now leave Houston for a four-game road trip. That could prove challenging, as the Rockets are 25-10 at home this season and only 18-17 on the road.
The opener comes Monday night in Chicago, where tipoff versus the Bulls (28-42) is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central. The game will be televised and streamed regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via NBA League Pass.
"I'm just grateful to do it here in front of the great fan base that have showed me so much love"
--Kevin Durant on passing MJ for 5th on the All-Time Scoring List#Rockets beat Miami 123-122 on an Amen game winner@SportsVanessa with KD after the @HoustonRockets win #AllFirepic.twitter.com/hWNQD5vGvy— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 22, 2026
CONGRATULATIONS KEVIN DURANT !!!!
KD PASSES MICHAEL JORDAN FOR 5TH ON THE NBA'S ALL-TIME SCORING LIST@HoustonRockets I #AllFirepic.twitter.com/PCBBWtFRt2— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 22, 2026
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard shine as Rockets beat Heat at buzzer
