Amen Thompson’s Block Seals Rockets’ Win Over Spurs, Wembanyama

WHO:

ESPN - Kevin Durant said to Amen Thompson after the block, “What the f--- is wrong with him, thinking he was just going to lay it up so easily?”

ESPN - Thompson said, “I just knew they were going to try to get probably me or one of the other smaller guys on him.”

ESPN - Durant praised Thompson’s ability to jump again quickly after landing, saying, “That’s rare in any human.”

ESPN - Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Houston switched, denied some catches and pushed Wembanyama off his spot before Thompson defended him one-on-one.

ESPN - Rockets guard Amen Thompson finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals.

ESPN - Rockets center Alperen Sengun scored a game-high 29 points, with seven rebounds and seven assists.

ESPN - Sengun recorded his 35th career game with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists, tying Steve Francis for second-most such games by a Rockets player before age 25.

Newsweek - Victor Wembanyama scored for the Spurs.

Newsweek - Amen Thompson played for the Rockets and blocked Victor Wembanyama.

Pro Football Network - Kevin Durant and NBA fans reacted to Amen Thompson’s block.

WHAT:

ESPN - Thompson had a team-worst minus-12 plus-minus.

ESPN - Thompson and Durant scored 20 points apiece.

ESPN - Fred VanVleet received Thompson’s block and made two free throws to secure the result.

ESPN - Thompson blocked Wembanyama with five seconds remaining while Houston led 112-110.

ESPN - Thompson scored on a two-handed dunk over Wembanyama late in the third quarter, drew a foul and made the and-one free throw to give Houston a nine-point lead.

ESPN - Sengun scored 18 second-half points, including 14 in the fourth quarter; Houston began the season 2-0 for the first time since 2017-18.

Newsweek - The Rockets defeated the Spurs 114-110.

Newsweek - Thompson’s “clutch block” sealed the Rockets’ win.

Newsweek - Wembanyama scored 25 points.

Pro Football Network - Thompson’s block on Wembanyama was described as “game-winning.”

Pro Football Network - The article’s headline characterized Thompson as a “Freak Athlete” and the block as “Unreal” and “Insane.”

WHERE:

ESPN - The game was played at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Newsweek - The game was between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

HOW:

ESPN - Thompson is 6-foot-7, while the article says his reach is 7 feet; Durant praised his ability to dunk and block shots like a center.

ESPN - De’Aaron Fox passed to Wembanyama near the basket for the final attempt; Thompson blocked the shot into VanVleet’s hands.

Newsweek - Thompson secured the Rockets’ victory by blocking Wembanyama.

Houston held off San Antonio, 114 to 110, as Amen Thompson blocked Victor Wembanyama’s shot with five seconds left and the Rockets ahead by two. De’Aaron Fox passed to Wembanyama near the basket, but Thompson swatted the attempt into Fred VanVleet’s hands, and VanVleet made two free throws to secure the win. Wembanyama finished with 25 points, while Thompson posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Kevin Durant also scored 20 and marveled at Thompson’s ability to jump again immediately after landing, calling it rare in any human. Thompson had earlier dunked over Wembanyama and completed a three-point play, helping Houston build a nine-point lead. Alperen Sengun led all scorers with 29 points, adding seven rebounds and seven assists. Houston opened the season 2-0 for the first time since 2017-18.