Amen Thompson's Growth Amid Rockets' Playoff Struggles
May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) shoots outside against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets faced another first-round playoff exit against the Los Angeles Lakers, marking their second consecutive early postseason elimination. Despite injuries to key players, guard Amen Thompson had a standout season, averaging 18.3 points per game, but struggled with his 3-point shooting.
- 01The Houston Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, continuing a trend of early exits.
- 02Amen Thompson averaged a career-high 18.3 points per game in the 2025-26 season, showcasing significant offensive growth.
- 03Thompson's free-throw percentage also reached a career high, indicating improvement in his scoring ability.
- 04Despite his offensive progress, Thompson's 3-point shooting percentage dropped from .275 to .216 this season.
- 05Injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams significantly impacted the Rockets' season and Thompson's development opportunities.
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The Houston Rockets concluded their season with a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the Los Angeles Lakers, marking their second consecutive early elimination. The team, which has been rebuilding its roster, had high hopes for the season after acquiring Kevin Durant. However, injuries to key players Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams derailed their plans. Amen Thompson emerged as a bright spot for the Rockets, averaging a career-high 18.3 points and achieving a personal best in free-throw percentage. While he proved to be a capable scorer, his outside shooting struggled, with a significant drop in 3-point shooting percentage from .275 to .216. Despite these challenges, Thompson's mid-range game showed improvement, and the Rockets remain optimistic about his potential to become a star player as they aim to compete with top NBA teams in the future.
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The Rockets' playoff exit and the performance of key players like Amen Thompson will influence the team's future strategies and potential roster changes.
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