The Houston Rockets find themselves in a competitive position within the Western Conference as the season progresses, holding a 31-19 record and fourth place in the standings. Positioned just behind the Denver Nuggets and ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Rockets are relying on strong performances, particularly from Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson, to maintain momentum in the challenging Western Conference race.
Amen Thompson Discusses His Experience Playing with Kevin Durant
Before a crucial game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Amen Thompson shared his perspective on playing alongside the veteran star Kevin Durant. Thompson described Durant as a familiar figure in his basketball journey, noting how Durant’s presence simplifies complex plays on the court.
“I’m used to what he does. I’ve been watching him my whole life and now I get to experience it. He’s more like a big brother figure at this point,”
Thompson said.
“He makes it way simpler than you see in your head. . .it’s just making some plays to get to the paint, everybody is going to collapse, then kick it.”
Thompson also highlighted Durant’s supportive role on the team beyond scoring, emphasizing the encouragement extended to his teammates.
“It’s definitely new trying to figure out, you see KD, he can score on anybody, you just want to get him the ball,”
Thompson continued.
“But he’s very empowering on Alpern [Sengun], me, Jabari [Smith Jr.], Reed [Sheppard], doing our things, playing basketball and not all up in the ‘I’m KD’ thing. I feel like that’s one of the greatest things about him.”
Durant’s Impact and Thompson’s Rise in Houston
Kevin Durant joined the Rockets this season following a multi-team trade during the offseason, marking his first year with the franchise. Meanwhile, Amen Thompson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is entering his third NBA season, all with Houston.
Thompson’s growth has played a significant role in the Rockets’ strong showing within the Western Conference. He has started in all 50 games this season, averaging over 37 minutes on the floor. His statistics reflect career highs, with 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, complemented by a 50.2 percent field goal shooting rate, though his three-point accuracy remains at 20 percent. Thompson also converts 78.3 percent of his free throws.
Looking Ahead: The Rockets’ Path Forward in the Western Conference
As the Rockets face ongoing challenges in the highly competitive Western Conference, the partnership between Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant will be crucial in determining the team’s playoff prospects. Thompson’s continued development combined with Durant’s leadership and scoring ability offers hope for the Rockets to solidify their position among the conference’s top contenders.
"He's more like a big brother figure at this point."
From embracing point guard duties to locking in defensively alongside Kevin Durant… take an inside look at Rockets standout Amen Thompson’s rise and the growing connection between the two this season.
Catch Thompson and the… pic.twitter.com/BLUCQCk7OU
— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2026
