After posting a 60.2% true shooting (TS) percentage during the 2024-25 NBA season, Rockets guard Amen Thompson saw that figure slip to 54.8% in the first month of 2025-26.
But in recent days, there are positive signs that Houston’s talented third-year prospect is resuming an upward trajectory.
Over his last two outings versus Denver and Phoenix, Thompson is averaging 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 58.8% overall (66.6% TS) and a perfect 100% on free throws.
One person who likely noticed the uptick was veteran Suns forward Dillon Brooks, who was teammates with Thompson over the previous two seasons in Houston.
When asked about the 22-year-old after Monday’s win, Brooks said (via Shane Young, Suns.com):
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
He’s a great player. You can’t let him get to his right hand, that’s his strong suit. Then, if you keep backing up on him, he’s going to jump over you.
His growth has been tremendous. He was a great player for the years I was there, and now. And he’s a two-way player. He knows how to score in the paint, and he guards the best player every night.
Brooks has long been known as one of the NBA’s most tenacious defenders, so his endorsement of Thompson’s play — and on both ends of the court — is certainly worth noting. Brooks was traded to Phoenix as part of the 2025 offseason blockbuster bringing Kevin Durant to Houston.
As for Thompson, even with the efficiency numbers somewhat down, his net rating differential is currently the highest of any individual player on the Rockets. For the season, Houston is +10.3 when Thompson is on the floor.
Thompson was drafted by the Rockets at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round, and Brooks was a team leader and mentor over Thompson’s first two NBA seasons. So, the veteran probably deserves at least a little credit for the mentee’s development.
With Thompson in a leading role, the 2025-26 Rockets (11-4) enter Wednesday’s game at Golden State with 11 wins in their last 13 outings. Tipoff of Rockets-Warriors is at 9:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised to a national audience on ESPN.
More: Rockets improve to 11-4 as Amen Thompson outduels Devin Booker, Suns
