Reed Sheppard could get his biggest opportunity yet in Kevin Durant's absence

The Houston Rockets are set to be without Kevin Durant for their next two games as he tends to a personal matter, and, undoubtedly, this will serve to be a test of the team's depth as they attempt to acclimate themselves to life without their star scorer.

Yet, it could provide ascendant second-year guard Reed Sheppard with a unique opportunity: the chance to show what he is capable of doing in the starting lineup.

With Durant out, it is possible that Houston decides to go small, giving both Sheppard and Okogie more extended play, and, given the way that Sheppard has shot the ball recently, this could be his chance to make the case to enter the starting lineup more often this season.

The Rockets will work best when Sheppard can be a starter, and this is his chance to prove he can be one

Last season, although Sheppard showed signs of promise, his inconsistent shooting and lack of experience largely held him at arm's length from the rotation. Across the 52 games he played, he averaged just 12.6 minutes, starting three of those games when it was only truly necessary.

Yet, he excelled when he got the chance to start, averaging 19.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 52% from beyond the arc.

This season, Sheppard has truly found his role in the NBA, becoming one of the most dynamic bench scorers in the league through the first month of the campaign. He's currently averaging 13.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 48.8% from 3-point range off the bench for the Rockets.

The team often will stagger minutes to allow Sheppard run with some of the team's starters, and he has already shown vast improvements in his ability to both play off of their gravity and funnel the ball to them in their spots.

Yet, the most marked improvement for Sheppard this season has been in his confidence on the court, and, in Durant's absence, he could get the opportunity to truly show how far he has come.

Not only will the team likely play at a faster pace, allowing Sheppard more fast-break opportunities and chances for catch-and-shoot threes, there will also be more of a defensive focus on Alperen Sengun, meaning that the team could have more opportunities to kick it out to their perimeter shooters (including Sheppard).

One of the major question marks remaining for Houston this season is whether Amen Thompson is the best long-term fit at point guard. Their only other true alternative is Sheppard, and, if he can prove to be viable enough to become a starter, that would be a massive development for this team's versatility.