Amen Thompson's tip-in at buzzer lifts Rockets over Heat

Thompson's last-second heroics secure Houston's narrow victory over Miami.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:35am

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Amen Thompson tipped in a Kevin Durant missed jumper at the buzzer, and the Houston Rockets escaped with a wild 123-122 victory over the visiting Miami Heat on Saturday night. Durant had passed Michael Jordan's career 32,292 points for fifth on the scoring list with a corner 3-pointer earlier in the fourth quarter. The Heat moved ahead late, but Thompson's tip-in at the buzzer won it for the Rockets.

Why it matters

This thrilling last-second victory keeps the Rockets in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, while the Heat missed an opportunity to gain ground in the East. The game also featured a historic scoring milestone for Durant, further cementing his legacy as one of the NBA's all-time greats.

The details

Thompson finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds, one of three Rockets to record a double-double along with Reed Sheppard (23 points, 14 assists) and Alperen Sengun (19 points, 12 rebounds). Durant led all scorers with 27 points, bringing his career total to 32,294 and passing Michael Jordan for fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Bam Adebayo had a monster game for the Heat with 32 points and 21 rebounds, while Tyler Herro scored 25 points.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
  • Durant passed Michael Jordan's career scoring mark of 32,292 points with a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

The players

Amen Thompson

A young forward for the Houston Rockets who made the game-winning tip-in at the buzzer.

Kevin Durant

The veteran forward for the Rockets who scored 27 points, passing Michael Jordan for fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Bam Adebayo

The star center for the Miami Heat who had a monster game with 32 points and 21 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“That was an unbelievable finish. Amen made an incredible play to win it for us.”

— Kevin Durant

What’s next

The Rockets will look to build on this dramatic victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Heat, meanwhile, will try to rebound from this tough loss as they fight to improve their position in the Eastern Conference standings.

The takeaway

This game showcased the NBA's rising young talent in Amen Thompson, while also featuring a historic scoring milestone for the legendary Kevin Durant. The thrilling last-second finish underscores the excitement and unpredictability of the NBA regular season as teams jockey for playoff positioning.