Houston Rockets fans were flying high after watching their team absolutely dismantle the New Orleans Pelicans. A 146-117 win? That’s the kind of performance that gets people talking. But the real buzz? Amen Thompson. The rookie was on fire—dropping dimes, attacking the glass, pushing the pace like a veteran. He was everywhere. And just when it seemed like he was about to notch a triple-double, everything flipped in an instant. One awkward landing on Karlo Matkovic’s foot, and suddenly, all that excitement turned into sheer panic. The scoreboard didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that did? Whether Houston’s rising star was okay.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for an update. Then, finally, Shams Charania dropped the news: left ankle sprain. No structural damage—huge relief. But he’s going to be out for 10 to 14 days. It could’ve been worse, way worse, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a big blow. Houston is in the thick of a brutal playoff race, and losing one of their most dynamic young players right now? That’s not ideal.

And the timing? Brutal. Thompson has been a force lately. Just a few days earlier, he had dropped 21 points and 11 boards on the Pacers. He’s been proving night after night that he’s one of the most valuable pieces on this team. And now? The Rockets have to figure out how to survive without him.

It’s not just losing Thompson that stings—it’s that Houston is already dealing with injuries. Reed Sheppard? Out at least four weeks with a right thumb fracture. Fred VanVleet? Still questionable with an ankle issue. The team’s playmakers are dropping like flies, and now, they’re heading into one of the toughest stretches of the season without their most explosive young star.

At 39-25, the Rockets are sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference, but the schedule is about to get nasty. Up next? They aren’t just tough games—they’re games that could make or break Houston’s playoff positioning. The Golden State Warriors are creeping up fast, and without Thompson, the margin for error just shrunk dramatically.

Fans React to Amen Thompson’s Injury Update

The second the news broke, Rockets fans flooded social media with reactions—some panicked, some frustrated, some just relieved it wasn’t worse.

“They got a pretty tough schedule up next, might drop to play in.” Yeah, that’s the fear. With three tough games coming up against the Suns, Magic, and Mavericks. And with a shorthanded roster, the next couple of weeks could be a grind. Houston has worked so hard to stay out of that play-in mess, and now? Things just got a whole lot trickier.

“Tough break for Amen Thompson, but no structural damage is a relief. The Rockets will need to keep the momentum going while he’s out.” That’s the silver lining. If this had been worse—if it was a fracture or ligament damage—Thompson could’ve been out for over a month. Just ask Gordon Hayward, who had a grade 3 right ankle sprain in 2020 and missed nearly five weeks. Instead, Thompson gets a chance to bounce back sooner rather than later.

But then came the criticism. Why was Thompson even on the floor that late in the game? The Rockets had the win locked up, yet there he was, still playing, still chasing that triple-double. “This is what you get for stat padding.” That take started making the rounds fast. Some fans felt like he shouldn’t have been out there, that the team was more focused on his stat line than protecting their young star. Was that really the case? Hard to say. But it does raise a valid question—if Thompson had been subbed out earlier, would this have even happened?

“Damn that’s a big blow. He’s a monster athlete.” And that’s what makes this hurt even more. Thompson’s athleticism is off the charts. He’s been putting up insane numbers—15, 11, and 9 against the Pelicans, 13 points and 12 boards against the Pacers. He impacts both ends of the floor, and now, Houston has to figure out how to replace that. Spoiler: they can’t.

Now, it’s all about recovery. Thompson will be focused on rehab, letting the swelling go down, making sure his ankle is strong enough to hold up once he gets back on the court. The Rockets’ medical team will be keeping a close eye on everything, making sure there are no setbacks.

In the meantime, Houston has to find a way to keep winning. Every game matters at this point in the season, and with a brutal schedule ahead, the Rockets need guys to step up—fast. But one thing’s for sure: when Amen Thompson is back, he’s going to remind everyone exactly why he’s one of the most exciting young stars in the league.