What's Next for Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson's Recovery Process?

As Amen Thompson continues to recover from a Grade 2 ankle sprain, he will likely spend time with the Houston Rockets' G League team.

HOUSTON — Rookie point guard Amen Thompson is getting closer to a return following a Grade 2 ankle sprain. But before returning to the Houston Rockets lineup, coach Ime Udoka said the probability of him being assigned to the G League is "pretty high" due to his endurance.

"That is something we have discussed with him coming back to the court," Udoka said. "It is hard to emulate [game speed] when you are not practicing. And when we are practicing, we are not going full speed." 

Rockets forward Amen Thompson works out prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Thompson sustained the injury on Nov. 1 in a 128-119 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He stepped on J.T. Thor's foot, which resulted in a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. He could not put weight on his injured ankle and left the Toyota Center on crutches.

He spent the next five days in a walking boot. But on Nov. 7, the former OverTime Elite prospect attended practice without it. He will miss his 10th straight game Friday night against the Denver Nuggets.

When Thompson first went down, Udoka said he would use "a committee" to replace his services. But during his 10-game absence, Udoka has relied upon Aaron Holiday to fill the vacancy.

#Rockets Amen Thompson will miss his 10th consecutive game tonight vs. the Nuggets.

Coach Ime Udoka said Thompson could start practicing again sometime next week. pic.twitter.com/5vY9nmLQbZ

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) November 24, 2023

Before the injury, Thompson came off the bench as the backup behind Fred VanVleet, averaging 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 40.9 percent shooting from the field.

In the game against the Hornets, Thompson recorded four points, one rebound and one assist. With four minutes left in the first quarter, Thomson converted a one-handed alley-oop dunk over the top of Brandon Miller, assisted by Jae'Sean Tate. 

The Rockets recently signed Cam Whitmore, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Hinton to their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Wednesday morning.