Amen Thompson Well on His Way to Career Year as Playmaker

Amen Thompson Poised for Breakout Season as Playmaker

The Houston Rockets faced a major setback just before training camp when Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL during an offseason workout. The injury is expected to sideline him for the entire season, although VanVleet hinted at a possible late-season return. This loss left the Rockets thin in the backcourt, especially after trading Jalen Green in the Kevin Durant deal earlier in the offseason.

With VanVleet out, the Rockets were left with Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday, and Amen Thompson—who had not played as a full-time point guard since his time in the OTE league several years ago. Initially signed as a point guard, Thompson was moved to forward due to VanVleet’s presence on the roster. That change immediately paid dividends.

Thompson excelled playing off the ball as a cutter and in the dunker’s spot, relieved of primary playmaking duties. He was able to focus on playing at full speed every possession and capitalize on the attention drawn by teammate Alperen Sengun on offense.

“Thompson had a career-high in rebounds and became one of the best defensive players in the NBA, making the first-team All-NBA Defensive Team.”

This season, Amen Thompson appears well on his way to achieving a career year as a versatile playmaker and defensive standout.

Author’s summary: Amen Thompson is emerging as a key all-around player for the Rockets after VanVleet’s injury, excelling on both ends of the court and poised for a breakout season as a dynamic playmaker.

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Sports Illustrated Sports Illustrated — 2025-11-04

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