標籤: Thompson

The Houston Rockets are suffering a first round exit in the NBA playoffs, extending their streak to six seasons without a semifinal appearance. While the Rockets’ young core didn’t take a step forward this season, it appears as if one of them is going to be rewarded with a big deal.

According to Sam Amick and William Guillory of The Athletic, the Rockets are expected to sign Amen Thompson to a contract extension this offseason that will be worth more than $250 million over five years.

Thompson, age 23, earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors last season. Selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, many around the league have been high on the 6-foot-7 wing for his length and excellent defensive ability. In each of the last two seasons, he has been viewed as a player who could make the leap to superstardom and Houston has been unwilling to include him in any trade proposal to bring in an established superstar.

When Thompson signs a five-year contract extension worth more than $250 million, his average annual salary of more than $50 million will make him one of the six highest-paid shooting guards in the NBA. He will be paid similar to Donovan Mitchell and slightly ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards ($48.924 million average annual value).

Importantly, according to The Athletic, Rockets ownership is giving the front office clearance to spend more on the roster next season and it looks to keep the young core together. However, that could be a problem for Houston once the contract extension takes effect.

Why the Rockets might regret Amen Thompson contract extension?

Entering the offseason, the Rockets payroll for the 2026-27 season is already $184.925 million, according to Basketball Reference. Alperen Sengun is now making more than $35 million per year, Jabari Smith Jr.’s extension also kicks in next season and nearly doubles his salary to $23.643 million. In addition to adding more than $50 million for Thompson, the Rockets will commit $200 million to key players who have not gone to the Western Conference Semifinals together.

There were also some real signs of the limitations of Thompson’s game this season. While he averaged 19.2 points per game in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, this came in 44 minutes per game and 14.3 shot attempts per contest.

In his third NBA season, Thompson did not consistently demonstrate the ability to be a primary scorer who could get his shot and take over games during the playoffs. However, a $250 million contract extension is paying him to perform at that level.

All the money owed on the current core, in addition to the team’s desires to bring in another star this summer, could complicate the ability to retain Terry Eason. Even if Eason returns, it will be one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA and has no postseason success to show for it.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

在他執掌球隊的第二個賽季，公羊隊以 11 勝 4 負的戰績開局，似乎是大西洋 10 強的有力競爭者。他們還以 Power 4 擊敗了伊利諾伊州，並與沿海卡羅來納州、弗吉尼亞州和北卡羅來納州等豪門進行了正面交鋒。

維吉尼亞聯邦大學和湯普森在整個面試過程中都有其他選擇。公羊隊還有其他一些匿名候選人需要考慮，而湯普森需要決定是追隨勒科羅伊走向自由，還是接受挑戰，帶領母校進入一個新時代。

「這是一場旋風，」湯普森解釋道。 「這一切發生得非常快，我知道我對留在弗吉尼亞聯邦大學非常有興趣——作為一名校友，熱愛這個項目——而且也和勒科羅伊教練一起經歷這個過程。我們進行了交談，他有興趣帶我一起去自由城。當時有很多奇怪的情緒。”

在正式上任之前，湯普森面臨的第一個挑戰是組建一支團隊。對這位年輕教練來說幸運的是，他在擔任助理的頭幾年已經積累了許多資源和人脈。

自 2020 年被聘為研究生助理以來一直在 VCU 工作的安德魯·盧埃林 (Andrew Llewellyn) 選擇與湯普森一起留在里士滿，這無疑有幫助。主教練聘任完成後，盧埃林被正式提升為助理招募協調員。

另一位前維吉尼亞聯邦大學投手喬喬·豪伊（JoJo Howie）曾在傳奇的達拉斯地區投球，他是湯普森的第一通電話。豪伊在過去七年裡在專科大學取得了成功，並於 2024 年擔任中央亞利桑那學院主教練，取得了 45 勝 14 負的賽季成績。

雖然豪伊在過去一個半賽季中一直是一位出色的投手教練，但他的大專人脈可以說對維吉尼亞聯邦大學的成功做出了同樣重要的貢獻。有了盧埃林和豪伊的加入，湯普森就擁有了進入第一年的優質員工核心。

“我很幸運能得到這份工作，”湯普森解釋說，“在整個面試過程中，我一直在打電話給那些我感興趣的人，如果我有幸得到這份工作，他們願意加入我的員工隊伍。”

The Detroit Pistons have held down the fort well so far in the absence of star point guard Cade Cunningham due to a horrific lung condition. Although they haven’t exactly faced a killer line of opponents, the Pistons are now 3-0 after Cunningham left the lineup, and are firmly in first place in the Eastern Conference.

The biggest reason for this is the play of Aussie Thompson, who has been a terror for opponents on the defensive side of the ball.

In fact, he recently became the first player to achieve a major defensive milestone this season.

“Oser Thompson has been in his own lane this season, becoming the only forward in the NBA to rack up 100+ steals and 50+ blocks. It’s not just versatility, it’s straight-up defensive dominance from every angle of the floor,” X, formerly of ClutchPoints, reported on Twitter.

In fact, the statistical feat speaks volumes about Thompson’s switchability and skills on that end of the floor, and he has become an integral part of what makes Detroit such a strong unit on defense this season.

Similar to his twin brother Amen Thompson with the Houston Rockets, if Ourser ever finds a way to expand his offensive skills, he could immediately become one of the most impactful players in the league.

Meanwhile, as the season enters its home stretch, the Pistons look to lock up the number one seed in the East, and they’ve done a good job of showing off their versatility and depth over the past week in Cunningham’s absence, though they’ll certainly hope to get their star point guard back by the time the playoffs arrive.

The Pistons will take on the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers for their next home game on Monday night.

Amen Thompson put the cherry on top of a historic night with a wild game-winner. The Houston Rockets guard wasn’t the story for most of the game, but he became the hero of the night by shutting out the Miami Heat with a tip-in in the last seconds at the buzzer.

Trailing by one on the final possession of the game, the Rockets turned the ball into the hands of Kevin Durant, who had passed Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list before the game. Durant missed a wild floater and was buried by Bam Adebayo, but Thompson flew in to clear the glass and signal the game-winner.

Amen Thompson suggests this for the win 🔥pic.twitter.com/XYhAMbwjYC

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 22 March 2026

A game-winner could have capped off a perfect game for Durant, but it was Thompson’s night. The last-second tip also had Thompson’s career-high 18th rebound of the night, including seven on the offensive glass.

This is a developing story.

The Washington Capitals (35-27-8) have now won two in a row. They didn’t need much scoring to get the job done as they defeated the New Jersey Devils (35-32-2) 2-1 on Friday night.

The game was a goaltending duel between Logan Thompson and Jake Allen. In the end, Thompson was victorious.

The Olympic silver medalist made 30 saves on 31 shots. Thompson nearly recorded a shutout, but still recorded his 23rd win in the end.

“I don’t really care about it,” Thompson said of not getting the shutout. “They won’t remember me for the shutout. That wasn’t on my mind. I just wanted to win.”

Ryan Leonard and Aliaksi Protas scored two goals each for the Capitals on the night. Cole Hutson also contributed in his second NHL game.

The Capitals have kept their playoff hopes alive with seven extra points from four matches. However, if they are to be able to do so they will have to win and get some help.

Next, the Capitals conclude their four-game homestand with a Sunday matinee matchup against Colorado.

capitals analysis

Capitals were looking very strong in the initial stages. Leonard and Hutson were two skaters who made a difference.

As soon as he got the puck, Leonard came off the bench and made a sharp shot on Allen to make the score 1-0. The 21-year-old now has goals in five of his last eight games.

Additionally, Leonard made history as the first Capitals rookie since Alex Ovechkin to reach the 15-goal mark.

Hutson made his second NHL start and has continued to make his presence felt. The 19-year-old created many chances and was solid defensively. She even had a physical relationship with Olympic gold medalist Jack Hughes.

Ultimately, the Capitals’ MVP on Friday night was Thompson. The 29-year-old made several key saves, including on the front door and with his glove.

Allen also came out for New Jersey and made 26 saves against the Capitals’ offense. However, after leaving the ice, Aliaksi Protas recorded an empty-netter to make it 2–0.

Thompson’s shutout effort ended when Jesper Bratt scored with less than a minute remaining. Nonetheless, the Capitals netminder stepped up with 18 saves in the final period.

capitals report card

Team: B

The Capitals were stronger defensively than offensively on Friday night. However, they did enough to win their second consecutive game.

Logan Thompson: A+

Thompson was the true MVP that night with 30 saves. The 29-year-old now has 23 wins on the season.

Ryan Leonard: A

Leonard recorded the game-winning goal in the opening period. The 21-year-old is now the first Capitals rookie since Alex Ovechkin to score 15 goals.

Cole Hutson: A

Hutson created many chances and was strong defensively. The newbie continues to show poise and confidence.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

The Dallas Mavericks had a big win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first game in a row, and it’s almost like they controlled the game from start to finish. They will now face off against the New Orleans Pelicans, who have found new life following the return of Dejounte Murray, but like the Mavericks, are still near the bottom of the Western Conference.

Before the game, there were reports of some Mavericks players being injured. Klay Thompson is listed as questionable due to rest, and Daniel Gafford is doubtful with an illness.

Thompson missed two games last week due to rest, and it’s clear they want to give him as much time as possible to feel right to come back. In the same breath, the Mavericks will be playing tanking games, giving youngsters a chance to take some of those minutes.

As for Gafford, he has missed the last two games for the Mavericks and looks like he is on the verge of missing his third game in a row. With Gafford out, PJ Washington has taken over the center role, and he has done a good job in the role. Against the Cavs, he finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five steals.

It doesn’t seem like the Mavericks are trying to make this season completely pointless, and the goal seems to be to build good habits. They’re doing so while also being able to watch the development of young players like Cooper Flagg.

The Mavericks were able to hold down the No. 1 spot last season, and depending on where they finish at the end of the season, they have a good chance to do so again.

The matchup against the Pelicans will mean a lot to both teams, as they are right next to each other in the West standings.

The Dallas Mavericks travel to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road on Sunday, and veteran guard Klay Thompson is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. Thompson hasn’t been playing in back-to-back games recently, and the Mavericks game against the Cavs is the first of a back-to-back set. Here’s everything we know about Klay Thompson’s injury and his playing status against the Cavs.

Klay Thompson’s injury status vs. Cavs

Given that Thompson is questionable on the injury report for the Mavericks against the Cavs, the assumption is that he will not suit up on Sunday. He is listed with the ‘rest’ designation, which suggests the Mavericks would like to have him available for the second end of the team’s back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

Thompson is in his 13th full season in the NBA. He has made a remarkable comeback after missing two consecutive seasons from 2019-2021. He has appeared in 59 games this season, including eight starts, averaging just over 21 minutes per game.

Thompson averaged a career-low 11.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists while splitting 39.2 percent shooting from the field, 38 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 75 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

So when the question comes whether Klay Thompson is playing today, the answer is probably no.

mavericks injury report

-Moussa Cisse doubtful (G League two-way)
-Daniel Gafford doubtful (illness)
-Kyrie Irving out (left knee surgery)
-Derek Lively II out (right foot surgery)
-Caleb Martin probable (left finger sprain)
-John Poulakidas questionable (G League two-way)
Tyler Smith questionable (G League two-way)
-Klay Thompson Questionable (Remaining)
-PJ Washington Probable (sore left ankle)

Cavs injury report

-Jarrett Allen out (right knee tendonitis)
-Keion Ellis available (fracture of left index finger)
-James Harden available (right thumb fracture)
-Sam Merrill out (left hamstring tightness)
-Craig Porter Jr. out (left groin strain)
-Tyrese Proctor out (right quadricep strain)
-Maximum stress potential (Jones fracture surgery of left foot)
-Jaylon Tyson questionable (sore left ankle).

Dallas Mavericks veteran Klay Thompson is on the team’s injury report ahead of facing the Cleveland Cavs on Sunday. After Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg’s historic night in a 138-105 loss to the Cavs, he’ll likely miss a rematch on the road. Flagg recorded his 25th 20+ point game, passing Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant for most 20+ point performances by a teenager.

Thompson is listed as questionable on the Mavericks’ injury report for Sunday’s rematch against the Cavs. He joins center Daniel Gafford, who is battling an illness and is also questionable. Caleb Martin is listed as probable for Dallas.

After a 21-point performance in the Mavericks’ 124-112 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Thompson finished with six points and two rebounds on 3-for-11 shooting in a 138-105 loss to the Cavs on Friday. This season he is averaging 11.8 points on 39.2% shooting, including 38% from deep, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

All-Star Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs will be looking for their first consecutive wins since a seven-game winning streak in February. The Mavericks have lost nine of their last 10 games.

mavericks injury report

Daniel Gafford – Suspect – Illness

Kyrie Irving – Out – Left knee; surgery

Derek Lively II – Outside – right foot; surgery

Caleb Martin – probable – left finger; Sprain

Klay Thompson – Doubtful – Rest

PJ Washington – Out – Left ankle; agony

Cavs injury report

Jarrett Allen – Out – Right knee; tendonitis

Keon Ellis – Available – Left index finger; fracture

James Harden – Available – Right thumb; fracture

Sam Merrill – Out – Left hamstring; tightness

Craig Porter Jr. – Outside – left groin; strain

Tyrese Proctor – right quad; strain

Max Strus – probable – left foot; Surgery-Jones Fracture

Jaylon Tyson – Questionable – Left ankle; agony

周日晚上，圣安东尼奥马刺队凭借全队出色的进攻以 145-120 击败休斯顿火箭队。当晚他们的整体投篮命中率超过了 50%，而且他们势不可挡，40 次三分球出手 21 次，让火箭在整个晚上的大部分时间都处于困境。

比赛过程中，有一个瞬间吸引了很多人的目光。球迷们看到阿门·汤普森（Amen Thompson）护着斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（Stephon Castle），尽管这位马刺二年级生走向主教练米奇·约翰逊（Mitch Johnson）寻求建议。

其他人在与主教练交谈时会保护自己的隐私。城堡不是。毕竟，马刺后卫认为，即使火箭知道自己的策略是什么，他们 将无能为力 无论如何都要与他们战斗。

“我去那里和（教练）讨论了我需要讨论的内容。对方球队是否知道我们要做什么或者他们知道我们的比赛并不重要。我不认为他们会阻止它，所以这并不重要，”据The Athletic的贾里德·韦斯报道，卡斯尔说道。

斯蒂芬·卡斯尔：“我去那里和（约翰逊）讨论了我需要讨论的内容。其他球队是否知道我们要做什么或者他们知道我们的比赛并不重要。我不认为他们会阻止它，所以这并不重要。” https://t.co/j1SVupuhzl

— 贾里德·韦斯 (@JaredWeissNBA) 2026 年 3 月 9 日

现在，这是一个冷酷的回应，显示了马刺队有多么自信——以及为什么他们在周日表现出他们作为一支有竞争力的球队远远超过火箭队。

维克多·温班亚马效应在马刺队中得到充分体现

近年来，球队追逐自己最佳球员的身份变得更加明显。对于马刺队来说，维克托·温班亚马每晚都带来毫不掩饰的自信，而且在 NBA 中没有一个人是温班亚马害怕的。

这支年轻的马刺队以 47 胜 17 负的战绩排名联盟第二，他们的气势如此之大，即使他们今年最终赢得了全部冠军，也不足为奇。

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is expected to be available on Friday night when Dallas faces the Boston Celtics, while veteran guard Klay Thompson looks probable on the team’s latest injury report.

Dallas released its updated report ahead of the matchup at the TD Garden, listing Thompson as probable with a right adductor contusion. Meanwhile, Flagg did not appear on the injury report after recently returning from a left medial sprain that kept him out of action for nearly a month.

The 19-year-old rookie returned to action in a 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night in Dallas. Flagg finished with 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, four blocks and one steal, while shooting 7-of-22 from the field and 1-for-4 from three-point range in 26 minutes.

Flagg has emerged as one of the Mavericks’ key contributors during his rookie campaign. In 50 games this season, the forward is averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 30.1% from three-point range in 33.9 minutes per game.

Thompson also had a strong performance in Thursday’s close loss, leading Dallas with 24 points. The 36-year-old finished with four rebounds, one assist and one steal while hitting 7 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc in 26 minutes.

Now in his second season with Dallas, Thompson is averaging 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 55 games, including eight starts. The veteran guard is shooting 39.1% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range while playing 22 minutes per game.

Mavericks’ injury report shows multiple absences ahead of Celtics matchup

The Mavericks enter Friday’s contest with a 21-41 record as they continue to navigate a roster plagued by multiple injuries.

Dallas’ full injury report includes several key players:

• Marvin Bagley III – Questionable (neck sprain)
• Moussa Cisse – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
• Daniel Gafford – questionable (right ankle injury management)
• Kyrie Irving – Out (left knee surgery)
• Derek Lively II – out (right foot surgery)
• John Poulakidas – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
• Tyler Smith – Questionable (G League Two-Way)
• Klay Thompson – probable (right adductor fusion)
• Brandon Williams – probable (left quad contusion)

Dallas will face a Celtics team that enters the matchup at 41-21, the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston will be a big boost with star forward Jayson Tatum returning from an Achilles injury suffered during last year’s postseason.

Friday’s game marks the beginning of a challenging stretch for the Mavericks as they look to stabilize their rotation while dealing with several injuries.

Tipoff between the Mavericks and Celtics is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET at TD Garden, with the game being televised nationally on ESPN.

The Detroit Pistons entered Thursday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs looking to make another statement. But things aren’t going according to plan, and not on the scoreboard, either.

Pistons guard Aussie Thompson left the game in the first quarter due to an ankle injury. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, his return is questionable.

Aussie Thompson has headed back to the Pistons locker room due to an apparent ankle injury.

Hope he is okpic.twitter.com/SBZ7FZ3McT

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

Ausar had a strong start defensively for Detroit, blocking Victor Wembanyama’s shot on the opening possession. But after some time the situation became worse.

On the move to the tin, Thompson twisted my right ankle. He would head to Detroit’s locker room shortly thereafter. Thompson had played only two minutes in the Clash of the Titans, before leaving the game.

The Pistons began Thursday night’s game 45–15, on top of the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Spurs are just 1.5 games behind Detroit in the hunt for the NBA’s best record, and second in the West.

Thompson has had a major impact on the Pistons’ success this season, especially on the defensive end of the floor. He entered the game averaging 1.9 steals per game, which ranked fourth in the NBA. However, his offensive game is still a work in progress. The former fifth overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft is averaging just 10.4 points per game while shooting just 57% from the charity stripe.

Detroit remained competitive immediately after Thompson’s injury. But as the first quarter wore on, the Spurs and Vembanyama imposed their will.

Wembley scored a game-high 12 points in the opening frame, as the Spurs took a 15-point lead.

There has been no update yet on Thompson’s condition.

The Houston Rockets host the Golden State Warriors, who have lost their last three games, at Toyota Center on Thursday night. Still, Houston heads into the game at 38-22 and in third place in the West, while Golden State is 31-30 and in eighth place.

The Warriors need to recover from their losses in the last two they have faced. The injury report lists the hosts as three key contributors in Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr.

All of them are listed as doubtful on the official injury list. Sengun is battling an illness, while Thompson and Smith are both dealing with ankle injuries.

The Rockets are already dealing with some major injuries. Fred VanVleet is out for the season after an ACL repair, Steven Adams is out after left ankle surgery, and Ja’Sean Tate is out with a right knee sprain. Tristan Newton is unavailable during a G League two-way assignment.

The warriors are also in a similar boat. Jimmy Butler III is out after right ACL surgery, while Stephen Curry is out with right patellofemoral pain syndrome. Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation), Moses Moody (right wrist sprain), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Will Richard (right ankle sprain) have also been ruled out. Gary Payton II is questionable with a left ankle injury.

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Injury status of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. vs. Warriors

With all three players listed as questionable, their availability will be a decision on game day. Thompson and Sengun both started in the last game, both achieved double-doubles
Sengun had 32 points and eight rebounds while Thompson returned with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

However, Smith Jr. sat out the Rockets’ last game and last played in a win over the Orlando Magic. Regardless, despite the injury concerns, the Rockets (38-22) remain formidable, especially at home where they have a 20-7 record. They currently sit comfortably in third place in the Western Conference.

Houston has already proven they can handle Golden State this season by earning a 104-100 win in November. With the Warriors having lost three of their last four games and a weak road record of 12-17, the Rockets will be the favorites as hosts this time.

rocket injury report

Alperen Sengun: Doubtful (disease)

Amen Thompson: Questionable (sprained right ankle)

Jabari Smith Jr.: Questionable (sprained right ankle)

Ja’Sean Tate: Out (right knee sprain)

Steven Adams: Out (left ankle surgery)

Fred VanVleet: Out (right knee ACL repair)

Tristan Newton: Out (G League Two-Way)

warriors injury report

Stephen Curry: Out (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)

Seth Curry: Out (left sciatic nerve irritation)

Jimmy Butler III: Out (right ACL surgery)

Moses Moody: Out (right wrist sprain)

Kristaps Porzingis: out (illness)

Will Richard: Out (sprained right ankle)

Gary Payton II: Questionable (left ankle injury)

The Dallas Mavericks will have to finish their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday without one of their key contributors, as Klay Thompson has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with an adductor strain.

Thompson finished with seven points on 3 of 8 shooting in 15 minutes. off the bench.

The Mavs announced that Klay Thompson (right adductor contusion) is out for the remainder of tonight’s game against the Thunder. pic.twitter.com/KPDqgkMTaT

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2 March 2026

It is unclear when exactly the sweet-shooting guard suffered an adductor injury, but he could be sidelined for an extended period, as it usually takes several weeks to heal.

It is another blow for the 36-year-old Thompson, who has struggled to regain his form over the past few years following knee surgery.

He has been largely inconsistent in his tenure with the Mavericks, but he remains a lethal threat from outside. He averaged 11.5 points, 38.7% field goals, 73.0% free throws, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in his career.

Much of this can be attributed to his dwindling confidence, and suffering from an adductor injury certainly won’t help in that regard. For what it’s worth, the four-time champion has been here before. He has proven that he is resilient enough to bounce back. Hopefully he can recover soon.

At the time of writing, the Mavericks are trailing the Thunder by a wide margin in the fourth quarter.

Dallas is already playing without Cooper Flagg, who sat out with a foot injury.

Thompson was rumored to be on the trading block in February, but he managed to remain with the team. However, the Mavericks could move to acquire him in the offseason.

The Houston Rockets are suffering a significant identity crisis after several disappointing losses to teams they were expected to beat. This struggle has sparked debate regarding the team’s floor leadership, with many fans and analysts calling for Reed Shepard to be included in the starting lineup. Supporters of the move argue that the Rockets lack a traditional floor general to organize their attack in high-pressure moments. However, head coach Ime Udoka has been steadfast in his refusal to bench Amen Thompson in favor of the newcomer.

Udoka made it clear that no such seismic change is on the horizon, primarily because the team prioritizes a strong defensive identity. While Thompson is considered one of the league’s premier defenders, Shepard has yet to make significant progress on that end of the floor to justify a starting role in Udoka’s system.

This lack of late-game organization was on full display during a narrow 108–106 loss against the Knicks, where even Kevin Durant’s 30-point effort was not enough to secure the win. This collapse has highlighted the same inconsistencies that have plagued Houston all year.

After the game, Udoka expressed his disappointment with the backcourt’s execution. According to Kelly Echo on X, the head coach noted that the ball stopped moving because the team leaned too heavily on the separation play.

Udoka commented that it was a familiar story of losing games this way, saying, “The ball stopped moving, started falling apart too much. Same story – we’ve lost a lot of games like this. I’m telling Amen and Reed to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets; this is not the time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense is just as bad.”

The pressure on these young guards has increased even more after the Rockets decided to stand down at the trade deadline. Despite the glaring gaps in perimeter shooting, the front office has essentially tasked its current roster with fixing these issues internally. It focuses extensively on Reed Shepard, who is currently going through a difficult period of shooting.

If the Rockets really want to stop the freestyling that Udoka has criticized, they will have to strike a balance between developing their young shooters and making sure they are on the floor when the game is on the line.

When Klay Thompson signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, he thought he put himself in a position to win his fifth championship. But now, Luka Doncic is no more, Anthony Davis played only 29 games before being included in the trade, and Kyrie Irving is still recovering from knee surgery.

Two years after Thompson’s arrival, the Mavericks have become a completely different entity. They are in the bottom half of the standings with a 19–35 record and are highly unlikely to return to the NBA Finals, where they reached a season before Thompson joined the team.

Dallas Cooper will continue to build around Flagg and find young pieces for the future. For Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, he not a good sign For Thompson and other veterans.

“Besides (Daniel) Gafford, a big name we should try to keep an eye on, whether it’s a shopping in the offseason or a potential trade, is Klay Thompson,” Siegel said on “Clutch Scoops.”

“Because he’s in the last year of his contract, he doesn’t fit their timeline anymore, and he wants to be on a team that’s going to compete for championships. So I’ll keep an eye on Klay Thompson to see what’s going to happen with him at draft time.”

. @TomerAzarly And @BrettSiegelNBA Live to talk NBA All-Stars, tanking problems + some early NBA offseason intel! https://t.co/duIKN4TFxL

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 19 February 2026

It’s not hard to imagine the 36-year-old Thompson playing for a new team next season. As Siegel mentioned, the Mavericks are moving in a different direction with Flagg’s meteoric rise, making the older guys on the roster more expensive.

While Thompson is still one of the most lethal shooters in the NBA and has been serviceable off the bench for the Mavericks, he has been significantly slowed by his past injuries.

The four-time champion is averaging a career-low 11.6 points, 38.8% field goals, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per outing.

休斯頓火箭隊主教練伊梅·烏多卡表示，球隊不能完全依賴 37 歲的凱文·杜蘭特來保持領先並確保勝利。但未來的名人堂成員並不是普通的 37 歲年輕人。看看他在周五客場戰勝底特律活塞隊的比賽中的表現就知道了。

在這場備受期待的東西方大戰的第二節，杜蘭特切入籃下，接到阿門·湯普森的傳球，然後推開活塞前鋒奧薩爾·湯普森，兇猛扣籃。從技術上講，這並不是一張海報，但這位兩屆 NBA 總決賽 MVP 仍然傳達了一個強烈的信息。儘管他年事已高且身材苗條，但他仍然可以為硬木帶來令人難以置信的強度。

凱文·杜蘭特大滿貫💥

pic.twitter.com/mltVqZwf0F

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2026 年 1 月 24 日

阿門·湯普森看到杜蘭特戰勝了他的兄弟，肯定感到很高興。這對22歲的雙胞胎在很長一段時間內都是聯盟中頗具影響力的球員，但很少有球星能夠在第18個賽季保持精英的進攻狀態。杜蘭特繼續為所有努力實現偉大的多才多藝的近 7 英尺球員上演一場表演。

除了鼓舞人心、令人驚嘆的年輕運動員之外，這位六次入選NBA最佳陣容的球員也讓火箭隊離拉里·奧布萊恩獎杯更近了一步。