Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson Available vs. San Antonio Spurs: 'We Missed Him'
HOUSTON — Rookie Amen Thompson will be available for the Houston Rockets Monday night when they take on the San Antonio Spurs inside the Toyota Center. The game will mark the first time Thompson will suit up for the Rockets since going down with a Grade 2 ankle sprain on Nov. 1 against the Charlotte Hornets.
Thompson stepped on J.T. Thor's foot while trying to attack downhill. He could not put weight on his injured ankle and left the arena on crutches. He spent the next five days in a walking boot. But on Nov. 7, the former OverTime Elite prospect attended practice without it.
"We missed him — that's our little brother," Fred VanVleet said. "Having him back in the locker room and around the team — it's always fun. I cannot wait for him to get back out there with us."
When Thompson sustained the injury, coach Ime Udoka vowed the team would take its time amid his recovery. The decision led to Thompson missing 15 games. It wasn't until the Rockets' recent California road trip that he began participating in team scrimmages during practices.
Jabari Smith Jr. did not see a decline in Thompson's play despite the extended layoff. On the verge of his return, Smith believes the addition of Thompson would be a plus to the team.
Rockets forward Amen Thompson dunks the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
"A lot of people would get down on themselves when being hurt as a young player — I know I did," Smith said. "It is just good to see his maturity. I know he is happy to be back. The way he carries himself and listens, I know he is pumped to be back."
Before returning to the lineup, the Rockets assigned Thompson to their G League affiliate team, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, for conditioning. He played two games for the Vipers, averaging 21.5 points on 47.5 percent shooting, 10.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
His best game came amid the Vipers' 128-126 overtime loss against the Oklahoma City Blue Wednesday afternoon. He finished with 29 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.
"He looked good," VanVleet said. "It is always shocking how fast, athletic and explosive he is. He and Cam [Whitmore], Nate [Hinton], all of the guys who have been going down there, they have been balling. They are fun to watch."
Before the injury, Thompson came off the bench as the backup behind VanVleet, averaging 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 40.9 percent shooting from the field.
In the game against the Hornets, Thompson recorded four points, one rebound and one assist. With four minutes left in the first quarter, Thomson converted a one-handed alley-oop dunk over the top of Brandon Miller, assisted by Jae'Sean Tate.
