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.
Dec. 6 Amen Thompson reaction
The final numbers for Amen Thompson with the @RGVVipers in his return from injury today:
29 points
12-26 FG
2-3 3P
16 rebounds (9 offensive)
11 assists
3 steals
2 blocks pic.twitter.com/4UtvsM05xK— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 6, 2023
In a tie game, Amen Thompson drives, takes the contact and scores for two + the foul late in overtime pic.twitter.com/S05iBO2CRu
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 6, 2023
Amen Thompson has a triple-double in his @rgvvipers debut — 24 points on 10-20 FG (2-2 3P), 13 rebounds (7 offensive), 10 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks. pic.twitter.com/dFP3x1ylV3
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 6, 2023
Amen Thompson knocks down the triple pic.twitter.com/9H7yaE2ljC
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 6, 2023
#Rockets rookie and #4 overall pick Amen Thompson is officially back playing basketball. He gets the offensive board and putback here. pic.twitter.com/87S8dvGdUt
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) December 6, 2023
Alright, Amen Thompson is just working on his mixtape now. Stopping on a dime and stepping back, hitting the contested mid range jumper? Damn. pic.twitter.com/Rwak6aekzK
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 6, 2023
I am 1000000% in favor of all content lifting Amen Thompson, one of the most fun players to watch in all of basketball.
I will just say: there is probably not another young player on the planet whose game is more tailor made to dominate the G League than his. https://t.co/tjvNqRkJxU
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) December 6, 2023
This crossover by Amen Thompson is just nasty. pic.twitter.com/nbibD6l3JJ
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 6, 2023
Amen could help the Rockets right now, he's ready. I don't mind him staying for another game or 2 until he fully trusts his body as he gets more reps with the ball in his hands. Whatever the Rockets decide there I'm cool with it.
Cam has to learn to play the right way
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 6, 2023
What amazes me most about his passing is just how accurate it is. Like a bullet. pic.twitter.com/mxn8Eirmeh
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 6, 2023
And here's Amen Thompson blocking a 3 point shot.
He's about the only player in this game who's willing to work hard and do the dirty work. Has 8 points, 8 rebounds ,6 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks at half time. pic.twitter.com/uzwEB83mH9
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 6, 2023
Amen Thompson has already completed more kickouts to the corner in this game than any non-FVV Rocket has completed all season. pic.twitter.com/6ejrSYXApB
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) December 6, 2023
Me: "never trusting G League prospects again. Gassed up numbers."
Also me: "AMEN THOMPSON 2024 NBA MVP IVE SEEN IN"— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) December 6, 2023
OT in OKC; Vipers 121, Blue 121. Amen Thompson with a triple double (26-14-11,) got better after showing initial rust. Whitmore took over the fourth quarter, has 28. Samuels kept them afloat, has 25. Vipers rallied from down 21.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 6, 2023
Can't be overstated that Amen with an in-between game becomes one of the best prospects of the last decade
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) December 6, 2023
Amen’s too good for the G league tbh he better not stay there for long
— BigE (Dillon Brooks Believer) (@BigE_Houston) December 6, 2023
BIG💥 performances from Amen Thompson & Cam Whitmore while on assignment for the @HoustonRockets 👏
In his @RGVVipers debut, Thompson recorded a triple-double next to Whitmore’s 7 3PM leading the vipers into OT.
Thompson: 29 PTS, 16 REB, 11 AST
Whitmore: 28 PTS, 7 3PM, 3 REB pic.twitter.com/v9S8xyN7mT— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 6, 2023
I asked Ime Udoka if he saw Amen Thompson’s G League rehab game (29/16/11) today.
Ime says he hasn’t had a chance to watch, yet, but he did keep tabs and sounded very impressed by the rebounding and activity level.
Amen will play more games with RGV before rejoining #Rockets pic.twitter.com/pL86Rr3kAh
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 6, 2023
“Udoka said the plan is for Amen Thompson to play in both games of the Vipers back-to-back in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday, but that plan could change depending on need with the #Rockets roster.” https://t.co/UIhWav3WDS
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) December 6, 2023
