Houston Rockets rookie guard Amen Thompson sprained his right ankle during a third-quarter transition sequence in Wednesday’s game (box score) versus the Charlotte Hornets at Toyota Center. The team ruled him out for the remainder of the game shortly thereafter.
Thompson, drafted at No. 4 in the 2023 first round, initially pounded the floor in pain and appeared reluctant to put any weight on his injured ankle. However, he eventually walked to the locker room without assistance and with only a moderate limp.
Thompson suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in July during the NBA’s 2023 summer league. That injury had an estimated two-to-four week recovery timetable. Wednesday’s injury was to Thompson’s right ankle, so it’s not a recurrence of the same issue.
In postgame comments, head coach Ime Udoka said this was also a Grade 2 ankle sprain, which could suggest a similar return timetable. Thompson left on crutches, per Brian Barefield of Rockets Wire.
Thompson is Houston’s backup point guard behind Fred VanVleet — though his elite athleticism has already made him a trusted defender to Udoka at multiple positions. Once Thompson left Wednesday, veteran guard Aaron Holiday absorbed the available minutes.
It looks like a pretty bad right ankle roll for Amen Thompson pic.twitter.com/nG6Af5IsHC
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 2, 2023
