Amen Thompson’s Game-Saving Block and Dunk Go Viral—Watch the Rockets Phenom Make NBA History

Rising Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson is expected to suit up tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder after being cleared from a brief illness that had him listed as questionable earlier in the day. Head coach Ime Udoka confirmed the 22-year-old will come off the bench, a role the staff hopes will ease him back while maintaining the spark he has provided as a secondary ball-handler. Thompson’s availability is crucial for a Rockets squad still missing veteran floor general Fred VanVleet, who continues rehab on a preseason knee injury. Since sliding into primary playmaking duties, Thompson has averaged 14.8 points, 7.9 assists and 6.1 rebounds over the last 12 games, earning praise from teammates for his relentless rim pressure and improved decision-making. Against an elite Thunder defense anchored by Chet Holmgren, Houston plans to leverage Thompson’s size (6-foot-7) and burst in transition. The rookie ranks top-10 league-wide in pace-adjusted drives per 36 minutes, and his 66 percent field-goal rate inside three feet leads all guards with at least five attempts per game. Defensively, his 2.4 steals average since January 1 trails only teammate Dillon Brooks among Western Conference backcourt players. Tonight’s matchup also offers a glimpse into Houston’s future lineup flexibility. Udoka hinted pregame that Thompson will share the floor in spurts with fellow youngster Cam Whitmore, creating a jumbo backcourt capable of switching across four positions. “Amen’s playmaking unlocks combinations we couldn’t try earlier in the season,” Udoka noted in shoot-around availability. Fantasy managers should monitor Thompson’s minutes cap; early reports project 26–28 minutes if no setbacks occur. Still, his all-around production makes him a high-upside DFS dart in a game boasting the night’s second-highest over/under. Long term, analysts remain bullish on Thompson’s star trajectory. The Athletic’s John Hollinger labeled him “one of the league’s future stars” after he secured All-Defensive First-Team honors as a rookie last season, underscoring a ceiling that combines Lonzo-Ball-like vision with pre-injury Derrick Rose explosiveness. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET at Toyota Center. A strong showing could push the surging Rockets (29-22) closer to home-court advantage in the first round, while a statement performance from Thompson would further cement his emerging reputation as Houston’s point guard of the future.