Rockets' Amen Thompson: Takes part in non-contact work
Rotowire
Thompson (ankle) was able to take part in non-contact drills during practice Sunday but has yet to be cleared for contact or scrimmage work, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Thompson's involvement in non-contact work represents a step forward after he had previously been limited to individual drills, but the rookie looks as though he still has a few more hurdles to clear in his recovery from a right ankle sprain, which he suffered Nov. 1. According to Feigen, coach Ime Udoka said Thompson will likely first play with the G League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers before rejoining the Rockets. The Vipers play their next games Thursday and Friday, so if Thompson is able to gain clearance for contact in the next couple of days, he could be available to play in either of those contests.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Could return soon
Rotowire
Coach Ime Udoka said Wednesday that Thompson (ankle) is ramping up and could be cleared to practice "soon," Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Thompson has been sidelined since Nov. 1 with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. He'll likely remain out for at least a few more games, as Udoka stated Thompson would, at the earliest, return to practice sometime next week, but it appears the rookie will be back in action before long, barring a setback. However, Thompson wasn't off to a fantasy-friendly start, averaging just 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 16.8 minutes across his first four NBA appearances.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Not yet ready for practice
Rotowire
Thompson (ankle) hasn't been cleared to resume practicing as of Tuesday and remains out indefinitely, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Thompson has been sidelined Nov. 1 with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. He suffered an injury of the same grade to his left ankle during the Las Vegas Summer League that entailed a 2-to-4-week recovery, but Thompson looks as though he'll require a longer period of time to overcome his latest ankle sprain. At this stage, Thompson's absence looks as though it'll stretch into December, and a target date for his return to game action won't become clear until after he gets in at least a couple of practices under his belt.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Still out
Rotowire
Thompson (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Warriors.
Thompson will miss an eighth straight game due to a right ankle sprain. Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the rookie isn't close to returning, but the team hasn't released an official return timeline, so Thompson is still considered day-to-day. In his absence, Jeff Green, Jae'Sean Tate and Aaron Holiday are candidates for increased roles.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Not ready to play Sunday
Rotowire
Thompson (ankle) won't play Sunday against the Lakers.
Thompson will miss his seventh straight game Sunday due to a right ankle sprain, and as has been the case of late, Aaron Holiday, Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate should continue to receive extended minutes in the rookie forward's absence. Thompson's next chance to play will come in Monday's second half of a back-to-back set against the Warriors.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Remains out Friday
Rotowire
Thompson (ankle) won't play in Friday's game versus the Clippers.
Thompson will miss his sixth straight game Friday due to a right ankle sprain. Aaron Holiday and Jae'Sean Tate should continue to receive extended minutes in the rookie forward's absence. Thompson's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with the Lakers.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Sheds boot
Rotowire
Thompson (ankle) was spotted Tuesday without a boot on his injured right ankle, Coty M. Davis of SI.com reports.
The extent of Thompson's rehab progress remains unclear, but this can be viewed as a positive step. The rookie suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain last week and was given a 2-to-4-week return timeline. The team should provide further updates soon, but fantasy managers can likely leave Thompson on the bench for Week 3.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Won't return Wednesday
Rotowire
Thompson is out for the remainder of Wednesday's game versus the Hornets due to a right ankle sprain, Adam Wexler of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Thompson tallied four points, one rebound, one assist and one steal in 13 minutes before exiting Wednesday's contest. His next chance to suit up will be Saturday's matchup with Sacramento.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Coming off bench
Rotowire
Thompson will come off the bench for Friday's preseason game against the Heat.
The Rockets went with their projected Opening Night lineup for Friday's final exhibition. Thompson, a first-round rookie who's just 20 years old, has shown a lot of promise in the preseason, but it wasn't all pretty as he continues to learn the ropes.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Will start Wednesday
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Thompson will start Wednesday's preseason contest against the Spurs, Jackson Gatlin of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
With Fred VanVleet (rest), Dillon Brooks (rest) and Jalen Green (toe) out, Thompson and Cam Whitmore will start in Houston's backcourt. The rookies have impressed thus far and will certainly get an extended look versus San Antonio, but they'll likely return to bench roles for Friday's preseason finale versus Miami, which is expected to be a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Inefficient against Indiana
Rotowire
Thompson generated seven points (1-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one steal in 21 minutes during Tuesday's 122-103 preseason win over the Pacers.
Although Thompson led the Rockets in rebounds off the bench during Tuesday's preseason opener, he was inefficient from the floor. He salvaged his scoring output with a decent showing from the charity stripe, but his performance suggested what he may display during the regular season. The 20-year-old has a poor shot form but is effective as a ballhandler, so he certainly carries risk as a fantasy option heading into his rookie season.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Cleared from ankle injury
Rotowire
Thompson has been fully cleared from the ankle injury he picked up in July, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports.
No surprise here, as Thompson was given a 2-3 week timetable on July 8. Thompson only appeared in one Summer League game, but that was all he needed to generate some buzz. He said he has improved his jump shot, and all signs point to him playing a sizable role in his rookie season.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Suffers ankle injury
Rotowire
Thompson suffered an apparent left ankle injury during Friday's Summer League game against Portland and did not return.
Thompson landed awkwardly and immediately grabbed at his left ankle. He had a heavy limp on his way back to the locker room, putting his status for Houston's next game on July 9 in jeopardy. The good news is that he was very impressive in his 28 minutes of action, scoring 16 points with five assists, four rebounds, three steals, four blocks and one three-pointer.
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Rockets' Amen Thompson: Selected No. 4 by Rockets
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Thompson was selected by Houston with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
Thompson possesses elite athletic ability, with a quick first step and impressive vertical leap that will make him a constant driving threat at the NBA level. He's also shown to be a capable ball handler, as well as an above-average passer and defender during his time with the City Reapers in the Overtime Elite. Thompson averaged 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.4 steals across 28.2 minutes per game with the City Reapers and led the team to a league championship last season. The 6-foot-6, 214-pound wing will have a good chance to slide right into the starting lineup for the 2023-24 season at the small forward position as the newest addition to the Rockets' young core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.
