Jalen Green led the charge for the Houston Rockets yet again on Wednesday night as they took down the No. 3 seed Oklahoma City Thunder, 132-126, to mark their 10th straight win.
Green (37 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, seven triples), however, got a lot of help in this one. This includes another eye-opening performance from rookie Amen Thompson, who has played an undeniably crucial role in Houston’s recent surge.
Houston Rockets Rookie Amen Thompson Produces Yao Ming-Like Numbers Vs. Thunder
Thompson has been cooking of late. The 6-foot-7 swingman entered Wednesday’s game averaging 14.3 points on 64.0 percent shooting, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals over the last nine games. The 21-year-old, however, took it to another level against OKC, finishing with a monster 25-point, 15-rebound double-double that came with four assists, a steal, and just one turnover in 39 minutes of action.
According to StatMuse, the last Rockets player to have reached these heights was a dude named Yao Ming:
Amen Thompson tonight:
25 PTS
15 REBThe first Rockets rookie to reach those numbers since Yao Ming. https://t.co/0G9QfMDWmt
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 28, 2024
Thompson won’t be in contention for this season’s Rookie of the Year title, but there’s no denying that the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft has been a key cog for Houston this season. He’s also already proven that he will be a crucial part of this team’s core for many years to come.
In the meantime, though, the Rockets will need Thompson to keep his foot on the gas as they chase the 10th and final Play-In spot in the West.
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