Amen Thompson ☆ Follow

Over rates and minutes projection: turn on Prediction tools.

Starts 3 of 3 games · 2nd on HOU in minutes · Core role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

• Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective · 3 points · 5 h ago
  • Amen Thompson blocked Wembanyama's attempt at the rim with the Spurs down two on Friday in Austin, sealing a Rockets win. The hosts disagree on whether Wembanyama was trying to dunk or lay it in. at 26:02
  • Amen Thompson had 17 and 11 against Atlanta and went 9 of 9 at the line. He is 13 of 15 on free throws this season, after shooting in the 60s in his first years. A host credits work with 'Chip England' (name unclear). Small sample. at 31:24
  • Amen Thompson's three-point shooting: about 22% last year, 2 of 4 so far this season. The hosts say Houston doesn't need him as a volume shooter. at 32:31

  “Chaotic NBA Opening Week Reaction: Key Injuries & New Contenders? + Major Beef” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily · Analysis · 8 h ago around the league

  Law likes that Amen Thompson doesn't have to be the point guard this year. He also noted Houston rested players and still won.

  “Jalen Williams Suffers Devastating Injury + Miami Slides in Power Rankings” at 27:05 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · 24 h ago
  • Jackson Gatlin: Against Atlanta's full-court press, Amen Thompson got trapped at half court and the Rockets had to call a timeout. at 4:42
  • Jackson Gatlin: Jackson previews Amen Thompson living at the free-throw line in this game. No numbers are given. at 20:40

  “Houston Rockets SURVIVE Crunch Time MISTAKES Vs Hawks | Reed Sheppard SHINES In Start” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Report · 35 h ago around the league

  Tony credits Kevin Durant's play and improvement from young Rockets players. He mentions Amen Thompson blocking Victor at the buzzer two nights ago, and 13 Rockets offensive rebounds in this game.

  “Are the Miami Heat Already in PANIC Mode After NIGHTMARE Start? Golden State Warriors LOOK Helpless” at 17:23 · listen ↗

• Story CBS Sports · Article · Oct 24

  NBA closing time: Amen Thompson erases Victor Wembanyama, Jayson Tatum daggers Knicks

  source ↗

• Story ESPN · Article · Oct 24

  Amen Thompson stuffs Wembanyama's last-second shot as Rockets hold off Spurs

  source ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks · 2 points · Oct 24
  • A host calls Ausar Thompson's contract a mistake and Amen Thompson's an even bigger one, $50 million larger. In the end he sells Ausar's deal as a mistake but buys Amen's. at 29:36
  • The hosts say Amen Thompson led the league in total minutes last year. at 32:02

  “The 2026-27 NBA Overreactions Draft!” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 7 points · Oct 24
  • On the final possession, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson were on the floor for the Rockets. Thompson was the one who ended up switched onto Wembanyama. at 3:21
  • Amen Thompson blocked Wembanyama at the top of his jump on the final possession, which kept the game out of overtime. at 3:42
  • Guest's view: the timing of Thompson's block shows intelligence and savvy on top of his athleticism. at 4:33
  • Brandon Scott: From three, Alperen Sengun went 2 of 4 and Amen Thompson went 1 of 2. at 26:45
  • Jackson Gatlin: The initial plan put wings on Wembanyama: Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, or Amen Thompson. That worked because Alperen Sengun and, to a lesser degree, Steven Adams could guard Spurs wings and perimeter players. at 13:43
  • Brandon Scott: Guest's positional framing: Smith Jr. and Durant are the "three" and "stretch four" who can credibly guard Wembanyama, with Sengun at center. Amen Thompson is called the team's best defender and a "two guard" or positionless player who can take the opponent's best perimeter player. at 15:43
  • Jackson Gatlin: During Sengun's 8-point burst in the fourth, the Spurs moved Wembanyama off Sengun and onto Amen Thompson. With VanVleet, Smith Jr. and Durant spacing the floor, Thompson threatened a jumper from the top of the key to pull Wembanyama out of the paint, then lobbed to Sengun, who pump-faked and finished through contact for an and-one. The host called it possibly his favorite play of the game. at 32:10

  “Rockets Vs Spurs: Amen Thompson GAME-WINNING BLOCK On Victor Wembanyama & Alperen Sengun DOMINATES” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Spurs · 2 points · Oct 24
  • On the final possession, with about five seconds left and a chance to tie or win, Amen Thompson blocked Victor Wembanyama's dunk attempt in the paint. at 3:30
  • Locked On Player of the Game: first given to Sengun, then corrected to Amen Thompson for the game-saving block. at 17:35

  “SPURS POSTCAST: Amen Thompson Silences Wembanyama Late as Rockets Edge Spurs in Austin Heartbreaker” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 3 points · Oct 24
  • Amen Thompson finished the game with a big block on Victor Wembanyama that sealed the win. at 1:56
  • The host says he "poured in 29 as well," then says he had a 20-and-10 double-double. at 12:33
  • The host thinks Amen Thompson has Defensive Player of the Year potential for years to come. at 6:10

  “ROCKETS POSTCAST: Houston Rockets Make Early Season Statement In Win Over San Antonio Spurs” · listen ↗

• X Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) · Report · Oct 24

  Dylan Harper on Amen Thompson's game-sealing block of Wemby: "That's a freakish athletic play. That's one out of a million times somebody is going to do that."

  original post ↗

• Bluesky Varun Shankar (@byvarunshankar.bsky.social) · Report · Oct 21

  Steven Adams is out for tonight's game with right calf tightness/soreness. Rockets starting the game with: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün.

  original post ↗

• Podcast All The Smoke host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  Rockets: with Fred VanVleet back, Amen Thompson slides back to his natural position after being played out of position at point guard.

  “Jalen Hurts Deserved BETTER Than This” at 51:27 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 20
  • A guest (inferred to be Madison) says that with VanVleet added, Amen Thompson can go back to guarding the other team's best players. The guest describes him as a true number-one and probably historically good perimeter defender. at 3:47
  • Madison says Amen Thompson is going back to his natural off-ball role, where he works as an offensive rebounder and vertical-spacing release valve. at 20:33

  “DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE: Houston Rockets Set To SURPASS Spurs & Thunder In NBA's Elite Rankings?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 6 points · Oct 20
  • Madison said Fred VanVleet is back with the team this season, which she argued lets Amen Thompson play his natural role as the defensive stopper. at 2:15
  • Madison predicted that if Amen Thompson defends opponents' best players, the Rockets' defense will be top 10, maybe top 5. at 3:17
  • A host or guest said Ime Udoka shares some blame for the offense's lack of creativity when VanVleet is off the floor. As an example, the speaker said Amen Thompson stood in the corner the way Jabari Smith Jr. did last year. at 9:48
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host (inferred) described the substitution pattern: when Tari Eason subs in, he replaces Amen Thompson and takes over Thompson's assignment on the opponent's best player. The host read this as Udoka viewing Eason as the team's second-best defender, and framed it as how Udoka is "probably" going to run rotations. at 27:45
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host (inferred) predicted that, with VanVleet back and Marcus Smart added, the Rockets' point-of-attack defense will be no worse than top three in the NBA. He also said there will be times when Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Smart are on the floor together. at 28:05
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host (inferred) said Amen Thompson's place in the starting lineup shows the team was never built purely around Sengun. He raised a concern that opponents exploit the fact that neither Sengun nor Thompson can shoot, by parking a big on Thompson or putting a smaller player on Sengun, and asked whether Udoka has a counter. at 41:05

  “Rockets Most IMPORTANT Player BESIDES Kevin Durant | Who Will SURPRISE And Who Has Most AT STAKE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Mismatch host · Report · Oct 20 around the league

  Brandon Miller got a five-year, $209 million extension. The hosts say it is a million dollars more than Amen Thompson's, making it the second-biggest extension.

  “Gearing Up for the Best Regular Season Ever” at 3:55 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Prediction · Oct 19 around the league

  Matt picked three Rockets for third-team All-NBA (Amen Thompson, heard 'Men'; Sengun, heard 'Shengun'; Kevin Durant) and predicts Houston edges San Antonio for the division.

  “Ranking ALL 30 NBA Teams! Our Official 2026-27 Tier List” at 54:24 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 19
  • Bryson sees a franchise player in Amen Thompson, just one who looks different from traditional stars. at 8:33
  • Madison does not think Amen Thompson is an All-Star-level player yet, though he calls him incredibly versatile and important. He wants a step forward from Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason. at 9:30

  “Houston Rockets Path To SUCCESS This Season? | Alperen Sengun & Amen Thompson Must SHINE” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 19 around the league

  Dan's Rockets top nine: starters VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Sengun; bench Smart, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason and Steven Adams. Bogdanovic plays if healthy; Capela likely doesn't play when Sengun and Adams are both healthy.

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” at 1:19:37 · listen ↗

• Podcast Shams Charania (reported), via NBA Today · Relayed report · Oct 19 around the league

  Shams is told that Brandon Miller's side and the Hornets are in deep negotiations ahead of the 6 p.m. ET rookie-scale extension deadline. He names Amen Thompson's 5-year, $208M Rockets extension as the template.

  “Regular Season Eve” at 28:28 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 4 points · Oct 16
  • VanVleet stole the ball from SGA and threw a transition lob to Amen Thompson for a dunk. at 12:55
  • First-half substitution order: Tari Eason came in first, for Amen Thompson. Marcus Smart replaced Clint Capela and Reed Sheppard came in together for Sengun and VanVleet, leaving Durant with four bench players. Bogdanovich was the fifth and final sub. at 28:29
  • Jackson Gatlin: A defense-focused lineup was used: Marcus Smart, Amen Thompson, Tari and Jabari, with Jabari playing small-ball five for a stretch. at 24:53
  • A host felt Thompson's China games were somewhat underwhelming, though he had about 6 offensive rebounds in the second game and (hedged 'I want to say') 9 across the two games. at 8:53

  “Rockets Close Preseason STRONG Vs Thunder | Amen & Sengun CARRY Early, Bogdan Bogdanovic Goes CRAZY” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 7 points · Oct 15
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's view: the Rockets now have many more offensive creators than last season. Last season it was mainly Durant and Sengun, with Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson contributing inconsistently. This year VanVleet, Smart and Bogdanovic are added. at 12:53
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's open questions on substitution patterns: will one of Durant ('katie') and Sengun ('shingun') be on the floor at all times? When do the double-big lineups and the Amen Thompson pace-and-space lineups get used? Will double-guard lineups (any two of VanVleet, Smart, Sheppard) be staggered with the double bigs to cover defensive weaknesses? at 26:32
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's view: Amen Thompson has had good moments across the first two preseason games but no fully good game. The host is not worried about it. at 29:25
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's view: Amen Thompson's role is switching back to what it was before Fred VanVleet's injury, with less of the ball. He expects this to be a significant mental adjustment. at 30:17
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's prediction: in some games VanVleet won't play, and Amen Thompson will be pushed back into the primary-initiator role. No reason for those absences was given. at 30:48
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's view: Amen Thompson seemed to plateau a little last season. The open question is whether he makes a big statistical jump as he settles back into a secondary-creator, more off-ball role. at 31:27
  • Jackson Gatlin: The host's ranking of the roster: Sengun is the Rockets' second-best player and Amen Thompson the third, both young and still developing. at 8:12

  “LEGACY: Can Kevin Durant DEFY Doubters And LEAD The Rockets To NBA Finals This Season?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 2 points · Oct 14
  • The host says Amen Thompson no longer has to be the full-time point guard and can put more energy into defense. at 16:05
  • The host says the line should have been set at 3 or 3.5. at 16:00

  “Rockets Fans PREDICTIONS | 60+ WINS? Western Conference Finals RUN? Kevin Durant DOMINANCE?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Rockets · 7 points · Oct 12
  • Game 2 starters with the regular starters out: Reed Sheppard, Marcus Smart, Clint Capela, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. The host said Capela, Smart and Sheppard were moved up from the bench to fill out the lineup. at 13:26
  • Two Sheppard turnovers came on passes to the left corner after Isaiah Crawford and then Amen Thompson cut in. The host is inclined to call it about 50-50, with the Crawford one maybe more on Crawford. He says Sheppard predetermined the passes and needs another half-second of patience. at 15:13
  • Amen Thompson: 14 points on 4-of-12, 1-of-4 from three, 5-of-6 free throws, and 2 turnovers (6 in game 1). The host calls it rough around the edges but says he's not worried. at 27:43
  • Thompson's defense held up: he locked down Cooper flag several times. He also had 6 offensive rebounds (team high) and 6 assists. at 27:38
  • Host's opinion: the offense shouldn't be designed to create threes for Sengun or Thompson until they can reliably hit open ones. He thinks Thompson probably shouldn't be taking as many threes. at 28:16
  • The Rockets twice used 'space and pace' four-out lineups with Thompson and four shooters. The first stretch looked really bad; the second looked a little better but still not great. at 36:00
  • Host's analysis: the four-out lineups only work if Thompson consistently gets downhill or collapses the defense and kicks out to shooters. at 37:12

  “Marcus Smart's IMPRESSIVE Rockets Debut Vs Mavs | Reed Sheppard's CONFIDENCE On Display” · listen ↗

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