HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Rockets head coach Ime Udoka didn’t get to watch Amen Thompson’s return to game action with the Rockets G League affiliate against the Oklahoma City Blue on Wednesday afternoon, but he was following along.
“I knew he had 10 rebounds early in the first half,” Udoka said.
Playing in a game for the first time since suffering a grade II right ankle sprain on November 1, the fourth overall pick of last June’s draft finished with 29 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists, while shooting 12-of-26 in a Rio Grande Valley Vipers 128-126 loss.
“The 29-point triple-double is obviously great and (he) stuffed the stat sheet in a close loss, but 29, 16, 11, three steals, two blocks is impressive, regardless of where you're at, on what level.”
Udoka said the plan is for Thompson to play in both games of the Vipers back-to-back in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday, but that plan could change depending on need with the Rockets roster.
“Physically, he's fine though. Even on the West Coast trip (he was) playing five-on-five, so we just need him to get some live game action to knock the rust off.”
The Rockets travel to Denver on Friday before hosting the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.