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Fortunately for the Houston Rockets, it seems the latest left ankle injury for guard/forward Amen Thompson was very short-term in nature.
After missing Tuesday's home win over Atlanta, Thompson returned Thursday in Utah and was instrumental in Houston's road victory.
Thompson stuffed the box score with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, shooting an efficient 7-of-11 from the field (63.6%) while not turning the ball over a single time.
The Rockets were +17 as a team during Thompson's 28 minutes, and two of those buckets came in the closing stages of the fourth quarter as Houston finally pulled away from the Jazz.
Thompson initially sprained the ankle late in Houston's March 8 victory over New Orleans, and he went on to miss the next six games for the Rockets.
After returning and playing in two games on March 23 and 25, he then sat out the March 27 game versus the Hawks. Head coach Ime Udoka said Thompson felt stiffness in the area of his left ankle and Achilles during pregame warmups. “We didn’t want to push him if he wasn’t confident in it,” Udoka said at the time.
But two days later, it seems that stiffness was gone (or mostly gone), and Thompson made significant contributions to an important victory. Houston (48-26, No. 2 in Western Conference standings) has now won 11 of its last 12 games as the Rockets edge closer to securing their first NBA playoffs berth in five years.
In 36 games as a starter this season, Thompson is averaging 16.3 points (55.5% FG), 9.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks in almost 37 minutes per game.
At 6-foot-7 with elite athleticism and versatility, Thompson is also one of Houston's best defensive players. Offensively, the second-year prospect — drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round — has spent time this season as both an off-ball frontcourt player and as a point guard.
With veteran guard Fred VanVleet back in the lineup after missing time with his own ankle injuries, Thompson has shifted to a starting role at forward, and that's likely where he will remain as the Rockets finish out the 2024-25 regular season and gear up for what they hope is an extended playoff run.
Then again, VanVleet — who struggled while shooting just 1-of-10 in Utah (10.0%) — wasn't part of Thursday's closing lineup against the Jazz. It was Jalen Green who generally functioned as the lead guard, and Thompson's abilities as a secondary ball-handling and perimeter playmaking option likely played a role in Udoka's willingness to close the game without the veteran.
The Rockets will resume their schedule Sunday night at Phoenix (35-38), and Thompson's versatility will give Udoka numerous options for how to best optimize his team's chances.
More: Alperen Sengun dominates in Utah as Rockets extend lead in West playoff race
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: In win at Utah, Amen Thompson makes clear impact in return from injury
Continue reading...
After missing Tuesday's home win over Atlanta, Thompson returned Thursday in Utah and was instrumental in Houston's road victory.
Thompson stuffed the box score with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, shooting an efficient 7-of-11 from the field (63.6%) while not turning the ball over a single time.
The Rockets were +17 as a team during Thompson's 28 minutes, and two of those buckets came in the closing stages of the fourth quarter as Houston finally pulled away from the Jazz.
Thompson initially sprained the ankle late in Houston's March 8 victory over New Orleans, and he went on to miss the next six games for the Rockets.
After returning and playing in two games on March 23 and 25, he then sat out the March 27 game versus the Hawks. Head coach Ime Udoka said Thompson felt stiffness in the area of his left ankle and Achilles during pregame warmups. “We didn’t want to push him if he wasn’t confident in it,” Udoka said at the time.
But two days later, it seems that stiffness was gone (or mostly gone), and Thompson made significant contributions to an important victory. Houston (48-26, No. 2 in Western Conference standings) has now won 11 of its last 12 games as the Rockets edge closer to securing their first NBA playoffs berth in five years.
In 36 games as a starter this season, Thompson is averaging 16.3 points (55.5% FG), 9.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks in almost 37 minutes per game.
At 6-foot-7 with elite athleticism and versatility, Thompson is also one of Houston's best defensive players. Offensively, the second-year prospect — drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round — has spent time this season as both an off-ball frontcourt player and as a point guard.
With veteran guard Fred VanVleet back in the lineup after missing time with his own ankle injuries, Thompson has shifted to a starting role at forward, and that's likely where he will remain as the Rockets finish out the 2024-25 regular season and gear up for what they hope is an extended playoff run.
Then again, VanVleet — who struggled while shooting just 1-of-10 in Utah (10.0%) — wasn't part of Thursday's closing lineup against the Jazz. It was Jalen Green who generally functioned as the lead guard, and Thompson's abilities as a secondary ball-handling and perimeter playmaking option likely played a role in Udoka's willingness to close the game without the veteran.
The Rockets will resume their schedule Sunday night at Phoenix (35-38), and Thompson's versatility will give Udoka numerous options for how to best optimize his team's chances.
More: Alperen Sengun dominates in Utah as Rockets extend lead in West playoff race
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: In win at Utah, Amen Thompson makes clear impact in return from injury
Continue reading...
