Rockets' Amen Thompson plays historically well-rounded playoff game in win over Warriors
Amen Thompson delivered an extraordinary performance to keep the Houston Rockets' playoff hopes alive against the Golden State Warriors. In an exceptional display, Thompson scored 25 points, collected six rebounds, provided three assists, made five steals, and blocked three shots, a feat unmatched by any player his age in NBA playoff history. His defensive prowess was crucial in limiting Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler to under 30 percent shooting from the field. Despite his shooting weaknesses, Thompson's comprehensive skill set and impact on the game are reminiscent of Draymond Green's role for the Warriors. As the Rockets aim for a comeback against Golden State, Thompson's multifaceted contributions are indispensable to their success moving forward.
Amen Thompson's playoff performance was historic, with him scoring 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, five steals, and three blocks, a record for someone his age in the playoffs.
Thompson's defensive role was critical as he helped restrict Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler to shooting less than 30 percent from the floor, showcasing his defensive capabilities.
Known for his triple-doubles in the regular season, Thompson's playoff game is risky due to his poor shooting ability, yet his overall skills allow his team to thrive.
His style of play is compared to Draymond Green of the Warriors, emphasizing his influence on multiple facets of the game, although this comparison is relatively new for Thompson.
The continuation of Houston's playoff journey heavily relies on Thompson's ability to adapt and impact various aspects of the game, highlighting his essential role in the team's dynamics.
Thompson's performance underscores his unique talent and importance to the Rockets, as he remains a pivotal figure in their potential comeback against the Warriors.
The article reflects on Thompson's career, noting his contributions and potential influence on the Rockets' future playoff success, emphasizing his role in ensuring the team's competitiveness.
Amen Thompson didn't let the Rockets season end.
On Wednesday night, he put together one of the most well-rounded games in the history of the NBA playoffs.
The Rockets win scored 25 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out three assists, snatched five steals and tallied three blocks.
No player Thompson's age or younger has ever done that in the playoffs before.
That's not even to mention the defensive impact Thompson had in holding Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler to sub-30 percent shooting from the floor.
MORE: NBA's Thompson family tree
Thompson is a special, gifted player who has had triple-doubles with points-rebounds-assists during the regular season.
In the playoffs, Thompson's game is definitely a risk, mainly because he's a terrible shooter.
But he does everything else so darn well that his team can still win a lot with him in the game, a bit like Draymond Green for the Warriors (although that's not a comparison Thompson had seen before recently).
It's not yet clear if the Rockets can come all the way back against Golden State.
What is certain, though, is that if Houston continues to rally, it will be because of Thompson. He touches too many parts of the game for his influence to ever be muted entirely.
Instead, Thompson will find where he needs to fit in on the court. This isn't really a bad place to start.
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