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Rockets’ Playmaker Suffers Injury While Stat-Padding

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Houston Rockets playmaker Amen Thompson walks off court after ankle injury

Houston Rockets playmaker Amen Thompson is set to undergo an MRI after sustaining a left ankle injury during their victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko. As he left the court, he was able to move under his own power. However, as he left arena, the 22-year-old was seen in a walking boot and using crutches.

In his postgame presser, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was unable to deliver a decisive diagnosis.

Rockets’ Amen Thompson Suffers Ankle Injury While Stat-Padding

What’s particularly unfortunate is that the game was already well in hand for the Rockets when Thompson was injured. However, Udoka left Thompson on the court, hoping the second-year pro would notch his fifth career triple-double. Not only did he fail to record the rebound that wouldn’t have given it to him, he landed on Pelicans big man Karlo Matkovic‘s foot after he pulled up for an early shot clock jumper.

The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Thompson finished his night with 15 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds. Perhaps just as impressively, he was a +39 in his minutes and Houston defeated New Orleans by 29 points.

Still, the timing of Thompson’s injury leaves an opening to debate the merits of stat-padding.

For example, when Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook won an NBA MVP Award with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017, some of his statistical feats were seemingly the byproduct of stat-padding. There were some who didn’t mind it because Westbrook was expending so much energy on a nightly basis in an effort to win. There were others who didn’t believe it was the most honest way to play the game or be rewarded.

For players and coaches, stat-padding could be a way for what they felt was a special game to be remembered.

Yet, when players get injured while attempting to stat-pad, it’s almost like the basketball gods themselves got involved.

What’s Next For The Rockets?

It’s possible that Thompson’s injury wasn’t severe. Nonetheless, it isn’t uncommon for players to be out for weeks after rolling their ankle. Thus, considering what the Rockets’ options are without Thompson should be a fruitful exercise. With that being said, Houston’s point guard depth is currently far from optimal.

On Saturday, rookie Reed Sheppard was ruled out for four weeks minimum with a fractured thumb. Fred VanVleet is day-to-day, having played two games since Jan. 30 as he nurses an ankle injury.

If the Rockets don’t have Thompson, Sheppard, or VanVleet in the fold, they may be forced to turn to Jalen Green at point guard. They do have Aaron Holiday, a nominal point guard. However, Holiday is more of an off-guard than lead guard. Meanwhile, the explosive Green isn’t just a respectable facilitator, he’s become a more shrewd decision-maker.

Lucky for Houston, they can also use center Alperen Sengun as a playmaking hub. In fact, Sengun is second on the team in assists per game (4.9), barely trailing VanVleet’s assist average (5.8).

© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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