The Houston Rockets have won 10 of their last 11 games entering Thursday’s contest, a road date with the Utah Jazz. Now, one of their top players might miss the action.
Second-year standout Amen Thompson is officially questionable against Utah due to an ankle injury.
Fans were left questioning Thompson’s status during the Rockets’ last game when he was abruptly scratched from the starting five moments before tip-off. As it turns out, Thompson was nursing a sore ankle and was held out for precautionary reasons.
It makes sense that Houston would want to err on the side of caution in regard to their up-and-coming talent. Thompson spent six straight games on the sideline with an ankle sprain earlier this month, and as the playoffs approach, his health is crucial to the team’s success.
The 22-year-old is an all-around producer for the Rockets and stuffs the stat sheet in nearly every category. He averages 14.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.7 combined stocks per game. Aside from his impact on the score sheet, Thompson is already one of the best defenders in the NBA and often matches up with the opposing team’s biggest offensive threat.
If Thompson doesn’t play against the Jazz on Thursday, Tari Eason likely enters the starting lineup. He posted a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double in Thompson’s place on Tuesday and may be a value in DFS contests if Thompson is out again.
The Rockets are hitting their stride at the right time and have rebounded after last month’s slump to reclaim the second-place spot in a tough Western Conference. With a 47-26 record, they remain far behind the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder but are still 2.0 games ahead of the third-place Denver Nuggets.
Rockets vs. Jazz tips off at 9 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 27.
