Houston Rockets fans were riding high after their team’s emphatic 146-117 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, but the excitement took a sharp turn when Amen Thompson went down with an injury. The rookie sensation had been putting on a show, flirting with a triple-double and making life miserable for the Pelicans on both ends of the floor. Then, in a moment that sent shockwaves through the Toyota Center, Thompson landed awkwardly on Karlo Matković’s foot after a pull-up jumper. He crumpled to the court, immediately reaching for his ankle, and Rockets fans held their breath. Moments later, he was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot, using crutches—a sight no one wanted to witness.
Shams Charania finally delivered the official update, confirming that Thompson had suffered a left ankle sprain. An MRI revealed no structural damage, but he would be sidelined for 10 to 14 days to undergo rehab and treatment for swelling. While this was a relief in the sense that the injury wasn’t more serious, losing Thompson at this stage of the season stings, especially with the Rockets already dealing with multiple injuries.
Before going down, Thompson was proving himself as an essential piece of Houston’s success. Against the Pelicans, he was one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double, fueling the Rockets to one of their best offensive performances of the season. His previous outings only solidified his value further. In the Rockets’ loss to the Pacers, he posted 21 points and 11 rebounds, forming a formidable one-two punch with Alperen Şengün. Just days before that, he nearly notched another triple-double against the Thunder, stuffing the stat sheet with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. His ability to impact the game in so many ways made him indispensable, and Houston will undoubtedly feel his absence in the coming weeks.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Rockets, who are already dealing with significant injury concerns. Reed Sheppard is set to miss at least four weeks due to a thumb fracture, while Fred VanVleet remains questionable with an ankle strain. With Thompson now out as well, Houston’s depth will be put to the test. His absence leaves a void in playmaking, scoring, and perimeter defense, forcing other players to step up in a crucial stretch of the season.
Fans immediately flooded social media with reactions to the news, expressing everything from frustration to optimism as they processed Thompson’s injury update.
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