When you look back at the Rockets' April 2 victory over the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center, one of the first things that pops out at you is the 38-point margin. With the win, Houston also clinched a 2025 playoff berth and helped secure a Southwest Division title, its first in both categories since 2020.
But hidden in the box score was a gem that only stood out if you were in attendance.
With just under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka inserted sparingly used guard Reed Sheppard to give his starters some rest.