What happened: On Nightcap, Shannon Sharpe said Houston guard Marcus Smart turned in his best game with the Rockets during a 119-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sharpe highlighted Smart's 24-point performance and perimeter shooting against a depleted opponent.

Why it matters: Sharpe argued on the show that Oklahoma City will struggle to win consistently after losing multiple key defenders to injuries. He noted that sustaining deep postseason runs requires good health, warning that shorthanded lineups face an uphill climb against disciplined teams.

What to watch: Sharpe emphasized that Oklahoma City faces a difficult stretch as the team tries to generate offense without its core defensive anchors.