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Amen Thompson GAME-WINNER & Dillon Brooks TEN THREES Gives Houston Rockets The Win Vs Boston Celtics
Amen Thompson’s Breakout Performance
Amen Thompson delivered a career-defining performance, leading the Houston Rockets to a thrilling 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Thompson’s game-winning floater was the highlight of his night, capping off an impressive stat line of 33 points on 13-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. This performance not only showcased his offensive prowess but also underscored the trust the Rockets coaching staff, led by Ime Udoka, has in him. Udoka specifically designed the final play for Thompson, allowing him to attack the Celtics defense and secure the win.
Thompson’s ability to exploit the Celtics defense was evident throughout the game. He effectively utilized the space given to him, often playing off the attention drawn by teammates Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. His versatility was on full display, as he seamlessly transitioned between cutting to the basket and creating his own scoring opportunities. This game highlighted Thompson’s potential to become a future superstar, drawing comparisons to a hybrid of Russell Westbrook and Giannis Antetokounmpo with his blend of speed, strength, size, athleticism, and basketball IQ.
Dillon Brooks: The Villain’s Record Night
Dillon Brooks, affectionately known as “Dillon the Villain,” thrived in the hostile environment of TD Garden, tying a Houston Rockets franchise record with 10 three-pointers.
Jan 27, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) works for the ball against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) in the second half at TD Garden. | David Butler II/David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Knicks starters were having fun, the bench was having fun, the deep bench was having fun, Tom Thibodeau may have even cracked a smile at one point.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around and the Knicks led the Grizzlies by 20 points, with Knicks backup point guard Cam Payne practically waltzing downhill, uncontested to the basket, there wasn’t a more fun game to be found on a Monday night. Definitely not for the Grizzlies, but they’re a resilient team who will learn from the loss.
What the win and the Knicks ingenuity — the way New York was dominant but allowed for a shifting dominance — made me think about was the Celtics. Specifically how last season Boston was celebrated for their competitive exactitude, and what their losses this season are showing about their rigidity. Namely, that it could cost them.
The most striking stat to me in the Knicks win last night was that the team tallied 32 assists compared to the Grizzlies’ 21. New York was shooting from everywhere but there can be a temptation with a lead that big for teams to start letting the ball fly from deep, chucking up hero shots because they’ve got the padding of points and a nice boost of confidence.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview The Houston Rockets are set to face the Atlanta Hawks, with key matchups including Amen Thompson against Trae Young. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green will also be pivotal in this exciting contest. (The Dream Shake)
Analysis Amen Thompson is emerging as a key player for the Houston Rockets, driving the team to new heights with his remarkable skills and leadership. This analysis delves into his impact on the team’s success. Amen Thompson is proving to be indispensable. (Sports Illustrated)
Watch Amen Thompson is making headlines with his stellar performances, especially noted in the recent game against the Boston Celtics. His contributions are turning heads and marking him as a rising star for the Rockets. Watch his game-changing moments. (Sports Illustrated)
Replay Rockets’ Amen Thompson hit a game-winner, and Dillon Brooks sank 10 three-pointers in a comeback victory over the Celtics. Relive the thrilling game highlights. (CBS Sports)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Rockets podcasts.
Amen Thompson GAME-WINNER & Dillon Brooks TEN THREES Gives Houston Rockets The Win Vs Boston Celtics Can the Rockets make a deep playoff run after their stunning victory over the Boston Celtics? With Amen Thompson’s career-high performance and game-winning shot, the Rockets are turning heads in the NBA.
Amen Thompson MONSTER Triple-Double & Alperen Sengun DOMINATES Inside As Rockets Beat Cavs AGAIN Is the Rockets second win this week against the Cavs enough to gain the respect they deserve? With standout performances from Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, the Rockets are making waves in the league.
Alperen Sengun Hits CLUTCH Shots & Darius Garland CHOKES As Houston Rockets Win Ugly Vs Cavaliers How the Rockets survived an utter choke-fest in a thrilling victory over the Cavs with key missed free throws from Darius Garland, Fred VanVleet’s clutch performance, and Alperen Sengun’s decisive free throws, showcasing resilience and skill in a nail-biting finish.
