“Amen (Thompson) is a special young player, for sure,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said from Houston, where the Rockets defeated Utah in an exhibition.
Utah Jazz HC Will Hardy on Rockets Amen Thompson:
“I am not trying to compare Amen to Giannis (Antetokounmpo), but you have to show a crowd early because leaving any defender on an island with him moving with force early in the clock is hard.”#Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/ZHxfNCDqNo
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) October 9, 2025
HOUSTON — The Rockets had already made plans to transition into a new era without Jalen Green, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, and defensive specialist Dillon Brooks. Both were traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of last offseason’s blockbuster trade for All-Star forward Kevin Durant.
What they were not expecting was to lose veteran point guard Fred VanVleet — likely for the entire season — after he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee before training camp.
With the plan already in place to pair VanVleet and third-year guard/forward Amen Thompson together in the backcourt, the injury to VanVleet puts Thompson as the team’s primary ballhandler.
In some ways, that new job description could be a significant advantage for Houston.
At 6-foot-7, Thompson has an explosive first step, which he showed in Wednesday’s 140-127 preseason victory (box score) over the Utah Jazz. In 25 minutes, the third-year prospect finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals while making 9-of-15 shots (60.0%), including his lone 3-point attempt.
When he wasn’t driving to the basket or making plays in transition, he also found his teammates for open shots.
By adding Durant into the starting lineup, Thompson has another elite weapon beyond 2025 All-Star Alperen Sengun. That should help open the floor, which will make it tough for opponents to adjust.
“I think we have seen a few players in the last six or seven years who can put so much pressure on the rim by themselves early in the clock,” said Will Hardy, head coach of the Jazz. “I am not trying to compare Amen to Giannis (Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks), but you have to show a crowd early. Because leaving any defender on an island with him moving with force, early in the clock, is hard.
“But that is where the decisions aren’t always easy. Because if Kevin Durant’s defender is the closest person, what choices are you making?”
Hardy elaborated on how great the league has become from a skills perspective of its younger players, and he made sure to include Thompson in that conversation.
“Amen is a special young player, for sure,” Hardy concluded from Toyota Center.
Yet, even as Thompson’s role as an offensive facilitator increases, the 2025 NBA All-Defensive First Team selection will still have the responsibility of covering the opponent’s best offensive player.
“He is going to be on the best guy night in and night out,” head coach Ime Udoka said of Thompson’s defensive assignment.s “Whether that is from point guard, to four (power forward), to five (center), at times. We will still rely on him to be great at what he does, and expand his role on the other end.”
“It was fun, just him as a release valve, every time I wanted an assist I just threw it to him “
–Amen Thompson after playing his 1st game with Kevin Durant
Amen in the #Rockets 140-127 win vs Utah:
19 PTS🏀7 REB🏀6 AST🏀2 STL🏀BLK@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/reSX89SB2R
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 9, 2025