Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson to Remain Sidelined with Ankle Injury

He hasn't been in a walking booth for over week, but Houston Rockets rookie Amen Thompson will remain sidelined due to an ankle injury.

HOUSTON — Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka said there hasn't been an update on rookie guard Amen Thompson, who will remain sidelined due to an ankle injury.

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.

Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) drives with the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

He spent the next five days in a walking boot. But on Nov. 7, the former OverTime Elite prospect attended practice without it.

"No new update timewise," Udoka said. "He seemed to be walking better after three or four days. Obviously, you have to be happy that he is walking without the booth. He has been doing his rehab. It's about being patient, and we can take it from there."

When Thompson first went down, Udoka said he would use "a committee" to replace his services. But during his five-game absence, Udoka has relied upon Aaron Holiday in Thompson's absence. 

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.

No new update on #Rockets Amen Thompson (grade 2 ankle sprain) but another sign of progress. pic.twitter.com/PPCVDBHogp

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) November 15, 2023

In the game against the Hornets, Thompson scored 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. 

Thompson will likely miss the Rockets' three-game west coast road trip, which will begin Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. They will play their first back-to-back set Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers before taking on the Golden State Warriors on Monday.