NEW YORK — Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard held court with reporters in the locker room and attempted to hold in a smile. His eyes drifted to the back of the crowd where teammates Jeff Green and Jock Landale lingered and approvingly watched their rookie’s postgame interview.

Rockets rookie guard Reed Sheppard had his best game of his young career last night in a loss against the Brooklyn Nets, putting up 16 points and grabbing seven boards in the performance despite a brutal collapse at the end that cost them the win.