After missing five-plus weeks with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain — suffered in the fourth game of the Rockets’ 2023-24 regular season — rookie guard Amen Thompson finally returned to the court.
Thompson, drafted at No. 4 in the 2023 first round, began his on-court return process Wednesday with Houston’s NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers. Thompson has gradually increased his physical workouts in recent weeks, and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka had previously indicated that a G League assignment would be part of that buildup process.
Though the Vipers lost Wednesday’s game to the Oklahoma City Blue, 128-126 (box score) in overtime, Thompson made quite an impression. The 6-foot-7 rookie finished with 29 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, shooting 12-of-26 from the field (46.2%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), and 2-of-2 on free throws.
Once cleared for NBA games, Thompson could help the Rockets fill backup guard minutes behind Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green while bringing considerable length, athleticism and defensive versatility.
Here’s a sampling of Thompson’s many highlights from Wednesday’s game, along with reaction by fans and analysts across social media.
RGV resumes its G League schedule in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday (schedule), and Thompson appears likely to still be with the team at that time. His potential return to the Rockets, and the NBA, could come next week — when Houston hosts home games on Monday versus San Antonio and Wednesday versus Memphis.