Amen Thompson Emerging as Offensive Threat for Rockets

Third-year player adds scoring punch to complement defensive prowess

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:20pm

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When the Houston Rockets drafted Amen Thompson fourth overall in 2023, they were drawn to his exceptional athleticism and defensive abilities. As Thompson's career has progressed, he has developed his offensive game and become a more well-rounded player, averaging a career-high in points, assists, and free-throw shooting this season. With the Rockets in the playoff hunt, Thompson has shown he can be more than just an elite defender, providing a consistent scoring punch alongside veteran star Kevin Durant.

Why it matters

Thompson's development as an offensive player is crucial for the Rockets' playoff aspirations, as they need someone other than Durant to step up and provide consistent scoring. His emergence as a two-way threat has the potential to take pressure off Durant and give the Rockets a dynamic duo to lead them deep into the postseason.

The details

After initially making his mark as a lockdown defender, Thompson has steadily improved his offensive game over his first three NBA seasons. This year, he is averaging a career-high 20.3 points per game, up from 9.5 and 14.1 in his first two seasons. Thompson has scored 20 or more points 27 times this season, compared to just 18 times in his first two seasons combined. While his 3-point shooting has dipped, he has shown the ability to get to the rim and score in a variety of ways, complementing his elite defensive skills.

  • Thompson was drafted 4th overall by the Rockets in 2023.
  • He made the All-Defensive First Team in his second NBA season.
  • With an injury to Jabari Smith, Thompson moved into the starting lineup this season and has not looked back.

The players

Amen Thompson

A third-year player for the Houston Rockets, Thompson was drafted 4th overall in 2023 and has developed into a two-way threat, emerging as one of the team's most consistent scorers this season.

Kevin Durant

The veteran superstar is the Rockets' leading scorer and one of the best players in the NBA at 37 years old.

Alperen Sengun

The Rockets' starting center, who has missed time due to injury this season, allowing Thompson to take on a larger offensive role.

Jabari Smith

The Rockets' starting power forward, who has also missed time due to injury, leading to Thompson's increased playing time and scoring output.

Fred VanVleet

The Rockets' starting point guard, who suffered a major injury before the start of the 2025 season, further increasing the need for Thompson to step up offensively.

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What’s next

With the Rockets in a tight race for home-court advantage in the playoffs, Thompson's continued development as an offensive player will be crucial to their success. The team will need him to maintain his scoring consistency and provide a reliable second option alongside Durant as they gear up for the postseason.

The takeaway

Amen Thompson's emergence as a two-way threat has been a key factor in the Rockets' success this season. His ability to lock down opponents on defense while also providing consistent scoring has made him an invaluable asset, and his continued growth could be the difference-maker as the Rockets push for a deep playoff run.