Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson delivered a candid and emotional evaluation after the workforce’s season ended with a 98-78 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of their Western Convention first-round collection on Friday evening at Toyota Middle.
The Lakers closed the collection behind 28 factors from LeBron James, whereas Houston was held to a season-low 78 factors in a recreation outlined by capturing struggles and defensive stress.
“I really feel like I used to be locked in to the tip. I actually needed to win,” Thompson mentioned. “I didn’t even have ideas of what occurs after.”
The Rockets tried to increase their season after rallying earlier within the collection, however Sport 6 rapidly uncovered offensive limitations towards a disciplined Lakers protection.
“Popping out of the sport, it hit for certain onerous,” Thompson mentioned.
Houston’s rotation was disrupted all through the collection, with accidents affecting key veterans and forcing youthful gamers into expanded roles. Thompson highlighted that shift as a defining theme of the season.
“Plenty of guys stepped up within the management side,” he mentioned. “Fred, Steven injured. Jeff’s a very good vet however he’s not on the court docket with us on a regular basis.”
“Kev acquired injured on the finish,” Thompson added. “You noticed Alpi taking steps, Reed, Jabari on the court docket, Tari, me too.”
The Rockets struggled to constantly generate clear perimeter appears in Sport 6, ending 5-of-28 from three-point vary because the Lakers repeatedly loaded the paint.
“They had been packing the paint. They had been at all times in shifts,” Thompson mentioned. “We had been passing up pictures, taking one other dribble, attempting to drive after one other drive, and never taking the pictures they gave us.”
Houston’s late-season progress included a brief playoff push after falling into an 0-3 deficit, however Thompson acknowledged the broader development of consecutive early exits.
“Now that it’s occurred, again to again first spherical exits, it’s tough,” he mentioned. “That’s motivation for certain.”
Regardless of the frustration, Thompson emphasised particular person development in his expanded function as a main ball handler throughout stretches of the season.
“It was very useful,” he mentioned. “Plenty of ups and downs, loads of areas I can enhance on. Lots to work on this summer season.”
When requested about his offensive improvement priorities, Thompson pointed to a number of areas of focus.
“I really feel like I might achieve this a lot,” he mentioned. “Simply enhancing on what I have already got, attending to the rim, my mid-range, my threes, simply all points of my recreation actually.”
He additionally praised teammate Reed Sheppard’s development into a bigger rotation function, significantly as a secondary playmaker.
“I felt Reed was nice this yr,” Thompson mentioned. “Simply giving us house and being one other level guard on the ground, one other ball handler.”
As for roster modifications or offseason course, Thompson declined to interact.
“I’m not going to reply that. Sorry,” he mentioned.
Houston finishes the season after consecutive first-round playoff exits, whereas Thompson’s feedback level towards a summer season centered on particular person improvement and inside development.
