Amen Thompson continues to grow into the kind of player Houston hoped for when they brought him in - and Monday night against the Grizzlies, he delivered a performance that underscored just how far he’s come. In a game where the Rockets needed someone to orchestrate the offense and keep things humming, Thompson stepped into that role and didn’t just play it - he owned it.
Logging 42 minutes, Thompson put up a career-high 14 assists, along with eight points, eight rebounds, and a steal. The shooting numbers - 3-of-10 from the floor - weren’t eye-popping, but that wasn’t the story of his night.
This was about vision, control, and playmaking. Thompson was the engine that kept the Rockets moving, consistently finding teammates in rhythm and creating opportunities in the halfcourt and in transition.
His 2-for-2 mark at the free-throw line showed poise, and while he didn’t light up the scoreboard himself, his fingerprints were all over Houston’s 108-99 win.
This wasn’t a wire-to-wire victory, either. Memphis came to play, and through three quarters, it was anyone’s game.
The Grizzlies held a slim 77-76 lead heading into the fourth, but that’s when Houston flipped the switch. The Rockets outscored Memphis 32-22 in the final frame, locking in defensively while knocking down shots when it mattered most.
That late-game surge was fueled by smart shot selection and perimeter efficiency - two areas where Houston clearly had the edge. The Rockets shot 45% from the field and knocked down 11 threes, while the Grizzlies struggled to find their rhythm, hitting just 37% of their shots and connecting on only seven triples. That disparity turned a tight contest into a comfortable win down the stretch.
Alperen Sengun was the star of the night, and frankly, he was unstoppable. He poured in 33 points on a blistering 15-of-17 shooting, adding nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal. Sengun’s footwork, touch around the rim, and ability to read the defense continue to make him one of the most versatile bigs in the league.
Kevin Durant matched Sengun’s scoring output with 33 points of his own and added eight boards, showing once again why he remains a matchup nightmare. Tari Eason chipped in with 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench, bringing energy and physicality on both ends. Jabari Smith Jr. added eight points and eight rebounds, giving the Rockets solid minutes in the frontcourt rotation.
With the win, Houston improves to 28-16 and holds steady in the fourth spot in the Western Conference. They’re now half a game up on the Lakers and two games ahead of the Suns, while sitting two back of both the Nuggets and Spurs. The West is tight, and every win matters - especially against teams you’re expected to beat.
Next up, the Rockets stay home to host the Spurs on January 28. With momentum on their side and Thompson continuing to evolve into a true two-way threat, Houston’s arrow is pointing up.