Rockets wing Amen Thompson, who turned his left ankle through the fourth quarter of the crew’s blowout win over New Orleans on Saturday, will endure an MRI to evaluate the severity of the harm, a source tells Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
The harm occurred as Thompson drove into the lane and tried a pull-up jumper. His left foot got here down on Pelicans heart Karlo Matkovic‘s foot when he landed, inflicting his ankle to roll.
In keeping with Iko, Thompson was seen sporting a strolling boot and utilizing crutches as he left the world, although head coach Ime Udoka informed reporters, together with Sam Warren of The Houston Chronicle, that he didn’t have any information on the harm after the sport.
“Noticed the replay, seemed like he rolled (his ankle),” Udoka mentioned. “Sort of went up underneath (Matkovic) on a leap shot and landed on his foot. However no replace.”
The fourth total choose within the 2023 draft, Thompson has been having fun with a breakout 12 months for the Rockets. In 60 video games (33 begins), the 22-year-old has averaged 14.0 factors, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 32.5 minutes per recreation, with a .553 FG% and robust, versatile protection. He opened the season with the second unit, however has began each recreation he has performed since January 5.
If Thompson’s harm causes him to overlook time, it’s going to harm slightly extra as a result of the Rockets have been up by 33 factors when it occurred and have been within the technique of subbing out their regulars. Thompson, who was only one rebound away from recording a triple-double, was the one starter nonetheless on the ground after Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason got here out with 6:00 left to play.
Thompson’s harm occurred on Houston’s subsequent offensive possession. He was subbed out on the 5:31 mark and instantly limped to the locker room underneath his personal energy.
