Amen Thompson delivered a game-winning floater with just 0.7 seconds left on the clock, capping off a career night with 33 points to lift the Houston Rockets to a thrilling 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night. Dillon Brooks was equally electrifying, hitting an astonishing 10 of 15 from beyond the arc and leading Houston with 36 points. The Rockets, who have now won nine of their last 11 games, continued their impressive form with another statement victory.
The Rockets showcased resilience, rallying from a 12-point deficit early in the fourth quarter. Thompson was pivotal in the closing moments, first breaking free off an inbounds play for a dunk that put Houston ahead 112-110, and later driving past Jaylen Brown for the decisive floater. Brooks had also provided a key moment earlier, sinking his 10th 3-pointer to give Houston a 108-106 lead with 1:39 remaining.
The Celtics put up a fight, with Jaylen Brown scoring 28 points and Jayson Tatum adding 19, all in the second half after being held scoreless before the break. Tatum tied the game with a layup with 5.3 seconds left, but the Rockets held their nerve. Luke Kornet added 18 points for Boston, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 17 points and eight rebounds. Missing key players like Al Horford, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser, the Celtics were forced to rely on unconventional lineups, which contributed to their struggles down the stretch.
Despite a quiet 12-point outing from leading scorer Jalen Green and the absence of Cam Whitmore due to illness, the Rockets found ways to stay competitive and pull off a hard-fought win. Houston’s ability to respond to adversity—coming off two wins against Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland—underscores their emergence as a team to watch. Let’s provide a grade for every Rockets player for his performance on Monday night.
Dillon Brooks: A+
Stats: 36 PTS, 3 REB (2 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 13-23 FG, 10-15 3PT, 0-1 FT, +16, 40 MIN
Brooks was the heart and soul of the Rockets’ offense, delivering a spectacular 36-point performance on 13-of-23 shooting, including a career-best 10-of-15 from three-point range. His sharpshooting kept Houston in the game, and his clutch 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter gave the Rockets a crucial lead. Beyond his scoring, Brooks provided his trademark intensity and defensive effort, finishing with a game-high +16 in 40 minutes.
Amen Thompson: A+
Stats: 33 PTS, 10 REB (2 OREB, 8 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 13-19 FG, 1-2 3PT, 6-8 FT, +8, 42 MIN
Thompson had the best game of his young career, showcasing poise and athleticism with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was efficient from the field (13-of-19) and delivered when it mattered most, hitting a game-winning floater with 0.7 seconds left. Thompson’s ability to impact both ends of the floor and execute in the clutch highlighted his potential as a future star.
Alperen Sengun: B-
Stats: 11 PTS, 9 REB (5 OREB, 4 DREB), 9 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 4-10 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-4 FT, +17, 34 MIN
Sengun flirted with a triple-double, contributing 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists while playing an integral role in facilitating Houston’s offense. However, his scoring efficiency was lacking (4-of-10 from the field), and he struggled to establish himself as a scoring threat in the paint. Despite this, Sengun’s playmaking and presence on the boards were key to the Rockets’ success.
Jalen Green: C+
Stats: 12 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 6 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 3-13 FG, 1-6 3PT, 5-7 FT, +0, 30 MIN
Green had an off-night offensively, scoring just 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting. While he struggled with his shot, he remained engaged as a playmaker, dishing out 6 assists and hitting 5-of-7 free throws. Green’s ability to stay involved despite his inefficiency was commendable, but the Rockets will need more consistency from their leading scorer moving forward.
Fred VanVleet: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 7 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 2-9 FG, 2-7 3PT, 1-1 FT, +4, 37 MIN
VanVleet had a quiet game offensively, scoring just 7 points on 2-of-9 shooting. However, he contributed in other areas, grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists while maintaining a +4 plus/minus. While his shooting was subpar, VanVleet’s steady presence and decision-making helped the Rockets stay organized in key moments.
Tari Eason: C+
Stats: 6 PTS, 6 REB (0 OREB, 6 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 2-10 FG, 2-7 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 25 MIN
Eason played with energy and grabbed 6 rebounds, but his shooting struggles were evident, as he finished with just 6 points on 2-of-10 from the field. His defensive activity and willingness to compete were positives, but his inability to convert open looks limited his overall impact.
Steven Adams: C+
Stats: 4 PTS, 4 REB (3 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -11, 14 MIN
Adams made the most of his limited minutes, scoring 4 points on 2-of-3 shooting while grabbing 4 rebounds (3 offensive). However, his lack of defensive impact and 2 turnovers in just 14 minutes highlighted his struggles to match Boston’s smaller, faster lineups. Despite this, Adams provided valuable physicality in the paint.
Aaron Holiday: C+
Stats: 5 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, -9, 15 MIN
Holiday gave the Rockets a small boost off the bench with 5 points on 2-of-4 shooting, including a three-pointer. However, his limited playmaking (1 assist) and 4 fouls in just 15 minutes detracted from his overall performance. While Holiday provided moments of energy, he was unable to sustain a consistent impact.
Jae’Sean Tate: C
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -12, 5 MIN
Tate had a forgettable outing, going scoreless and failing to record any other stats in 5 minutes of action. His -12 plus/minus in such limited time reflects the struggles Houston faced during his stint on the floor. Tate will need to make more of his opportunities to secure meaningful minutes in the rotation.
