Amen Thompson is already making the Rockets look like they may have something rare on their hands.
Houston’s fast start has been fueled in part by Thompson’s all-around surge, capped by a clutch block against Victor Wembanyama that helped the Rockets take down the Spurs. His reaction after the play only amplified the moment, but the bigger story was everything he showed across the game - the kind of performance that makes you wonder if you’re watching a player unlike any other.
The offensive growth is impossible to miss. Thompson has blended his elite athleticism with real scoring and playmaking touch, and he’s even knocked down one three-pointer in each of Houston’s first two games. That combination has given the Rockets a version of Thompson that feels complete, and maybe even ahead of the curve compared with other stars who reached similar levels.
Through two games, the numbers back up the eye test in a big way. Thompson is averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 56% from the field and 50% from three. Those totals might look even more inflated if the Rockets hadn’t blown out the Mavericks in the opener, allowing others to carry more of the load.
What stands out most, though, is how much more settled he looks on offense. Thompson appears far more comfortable reading the floor and picking his spots, whether he’s bringing the ball up, attacking the rim or setting screens. Last season was rocky when he was forced into a de facto point guard role, but that stretch seems to have sharpened him for what he’s doing now.
That improved offensive processing is paying off on the other end, too. Thompson still has the energy to be everywhere defensively, and he’s become the engine behind Houston’s top-tier schemes with his versatility and effort. He’s averaging 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, but his influence goes beyond the box score because he’s constantly disrupting possessions, forcing misses and creating bad passes that lead to stops for teammates.
The Rockets clearly believed this kind of leap was possible when they backed him with a 5-year/$208 million contract extension this offseason. But even with that level of confidence, Thompson’s quick rise may be ahead of schedule.
He has looked like a true Swiss army knife so far, the sort of player who can raise the floor for everyone around him. Even Alperen Sengun, a fit with Thompson that has long been debated, has been thriving beside him. Their shared playmaking and finishing ability has helped them work through spacing questions through cutting and chemistry.
If Houston is going to push its ceiling higher this season and beyond, Thompson is going to be at the center of it. After two games, the Rockets have every reason to believe he can keep pushing them toward deep playoff runs.
In Other News...
Rockets Already Face One Big Question About Going All In
The Rockets opened the season by beating the Mavericks with a starting five that looked every bit like a team ready to measure itself against the best in the West. Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun gave Houston a blend of creation, size and scoring that already has the roster looking more serious than it did a year ago, which is exactly why the conversation around this group has moved from promise to urgency.
Zach Lowe pushed that point on his podcast, arguing Houston should at least be willing to think bigger if the goal is a championship run. He said the Rockets have the kind of assets that can matter in a star chase, with players such as Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason, plus draft picks, available if the front office decides the current core needs another jolt. The question now is whether Houston is ready to stay patient with what it has or start shopping for the kind of upgrade that changes a ceiling overnight. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Passed A Clutch Test Against The Spurs In A Big Way
The Rockets got exactly the kind of late-game test that can reveal something about a young team, and they passed it in a tight 113-110 win over the Spurs. Alperen Sengun set the tone with 29 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, while Amen Thompson kept filling the box score with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a game that stayed close deep into the fourth quarter.
Kevin Durant also delivered in the biggest spots, finishing with 20 points and helping swing the finish Houstons way when the pressure ratcheted up. For a team that has been looking for proof it can execute when every possession matters, this was the sort of grind-it-out result that carries more weight than an ordinary regular-season win. [Read more 🡒]
Jabari Smith Jr. Just Gave Rockets Fans Another Reason To Believe
Jabari Smith Jr. gave the Rockets home crowd an early-season glimpse of what his next step could look like in Houstons 128-110 win over Dallas. He played with a level of confidence and offensive freedom that stood out from the opening night atmosphere, knocking down shots, finding his spots and looking far more comfortable as a go-to scorer than he often has in the past.
There was real reason for optimism in the way Smith carried himself, especially with Kevin Durant now in the mix as a veteran presence he can learn from every day. The Rockets do not need him to become a finished product overnight, but performances like this one reinforce why his development remains one of the most important storylines on the roster. [Read more 🡒]