March 7, 2026, 7:58 a.m. CT

In Thursday’s frustrating loss to the Golden State Warriors, Houston’s season-long issues with generating halfcourt offense in close games again became an issue.

The Rockets went more than six minutes late in the fourth quarter while scoring only two points.

In Friday’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, it was a very different story. After trailing early in the fourth quarter, the Rockets went on a 15-0 run when it mattered most and put the game away.

One big difference was the play of third-year guard Amen Thompson. After scoring just one point combined in Thursday’s fourth quarter and overtime (while missing both of his shot attempts), the 23-year-old had 8 points and 3 assists on 4-of-4 shooting in Friday’s fourth quarter.

That included three consecutive baskets in under a minute early, which became the first six points of that 15-0 run.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

So, what changed? In his postgame press conference, Thompson explained:

I felt like we were moving. When I would get it, I would push it. If it wasn’t there, go straight into a DHO (dribble handoff) and roll. Two go on Reed (Sheppard), I’ll get it. That didn’t work? Go into another DHO to go score. Just the gravity Reed and Kevin (Durant) have, they make a lot of things easier out there, especially if teams want to sag off me.

As for his scoring, Thompson said he feels more confident in his floater and mid-range jump shots. He also noted that his improved defense in recent games — on display in that 15-0 run — is leading to better offense.

“Teams know I’m trying to get to the rim, so they back up,” Thompson said. “So, I’ve had to work at it. I feel like I’ve been good at getting to it.”

“I’m not trying to force the issue and get to the rim. I’m just taking what the defense gives me.”

Thompson then gave one more hat tip to Reed Sheppard, who is averaging just under 31 minutes per game over his last 12 outings. In Sheppard’s previous 19 games, the second-year guard had averaged about 22 minutes.

“When he plays with confidence, he opens up something totally different for us,” Thompson said. “Just being able to get up that many 3s, it puts pressure on the defense, and they’ve got to really be up on him. It gives all of us easier buckets, and easier reads.”

Thompson finished Friday’s win with 26 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals while making 11-of-12 shots (91.7%). With the victory, Houston improved to 39-23 and remains at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, which would put the Rockets in line to have home-court advantage in at least one round of the 2026 playoffs.

Thompson and the Rockets are back in action Sunday in San Antonio. In a Texas showdown, tipoff versus the Spurs (45-17) is at 7:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised to a national audience on NBC and Peacock.

Back on Jan. 28 in Houston, the previous Rockets-Spurs matchup featured Spurs star Victor Wembanyama routinely sagging off Thompson in the second half to help against players such as Durant and Alperen Sengun. Ultimately, it clogged Houston’s offense.

But with Thompson’s play on the rise in recent games, the hope internally is that Thompson (and perhaps Sheppard, as well) will have more answers in March.

More: In loss to Warriors, Rockets struggle again with late-game offense