Amen Thompson needs to solve this one playoff problem for the Rockets

The Houston Rockets are excited about Amen Thompson.

Why wouldn't they be? This is a sophomore who's already in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. He won't win the award in 2024-25, but he's knocking on the door. At this stage of his career, that's remarkable.

There is no trepidation about Thompson's defense. His offense is more of a mixed bag. Thompson has tools. He's a fantastic passer, and his ability to get to the bucket is strong. Still, there are times when Thompson struggles to generate offense in half-court sets.

Those struggles have been prominent in their first-round matchup with the Warriors.

Rockets' Thompson struggling to score vs Warriors

Let's consult the numbers.

During the 2024-25 regular season, Thompson averaged 14.1 points per game with a True Shooting % (TS%) of 60.2%. That's a solid blend of volume and efficiency.

Across two games vs Golden State, Thompson is providing 9.5 points per game with a 48.7 TS%. That is...well, it's a poor blend of volume and efficiency. Thompson isn't scoring much, and he's not scoring well when he does score.

Most of us saw this coming. Thompson is a sophomore. He's far from his final form. Without a reliable jumper, it's going to be difficult for him to score in the postseason.

Is there a short-term fix? For that matter, is there a long-term solution?

Rockets' Thompson will figure it out

The short-term fix seems relatively easy.

The Rockets should get Thompson off the ball. The Warriors are packing the paint as soon as he receives it, and he's not able to respond. Thompson is a highly effective cutter, and he can finish pick-and-roll sets as well.

He can thrive in the dunker's spot even when sharing the floor with Sengun. Put Sengun in the high post or on the elbow, and let Thompson cut. That's a reliable source of offense. When he's on the floor with both Sengun and Steven Adams, it changes the equation. The dunker's spot is reserved for Adams in those formations.

There's a simple fix there - turf those lineups. They aren't working anyway. Per CleaningTheGlass, the Rockets' best postseason lineup featuring both Adams and Thompson is +1.4 in 9 possessions. Thompson is effectively functioning best as a big on offense in this series, so playing him with two more bigs is problematic.

The long-term question is different. If Thompson is going to be a primary ball-handler, he may need a jumper. If not, the Rockets would need a stretch big man next to him. It's still possible that Sengun will develop reliable enough three-point range to build the offense around him and Thompson.

If not? In a worst-case scenario where neither Sengun nor Thompson can shoot, the short-term fix may be the long-term answer. The conclusion may simply be that Thompson is a wing and operates off the ball. If the Rockets surround that duo with floor spacers, it should work anyway.

We know they're excited to find out.