Apr 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward/guard Amen Thompson (1) gestures to teammates between plays against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first round at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images / Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
The Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets in two consecutive games to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in their highly anticipated first-round matchup. Unfortunately for the Warriors, their hot streak came to a screeching end.
The Rockets dominated the Warriors in the first half of Wednesday’s Game 5, taking a dominant 76-49 halftime lead. The Warriors were completely shut down in the first half, highlighted by a zero-point first quarter from superstar point guard Steph Curry.
Houston has thrived on the defensive side of the ball this season, and they needed to fully lean into this strength to have a chance against the Warriors while facing a 3-1 deficit.
Apr 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball against Houston Rockets forward/guard Amen Thompson (1) during the fourth quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first round at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images / Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Houston’s top defensive star, Amen Thompson, shined in their dominant first half. Thompson finished fifth in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting this season, and his prowess on that end of the floor has been on full display.
Thompson finished the first half with 11 points, two assists, and five steals on 3-6 shooting from the floor and 5-6 from the free-throw line. The 22-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to record 10+ points and 5+ steals in a half of a playoff game.
Amen Thompson is the youngest player in NBA history to have a playoff half with:10+ PTS
5+ STL pic.twitter.com/N8O7fPqVah
— Polymarket Hoops (@StatMamba) May 1, 2025
Thompson has been incredible for Houston this season, already becoming an athletic anomaly, along with his twin brother, Ausar. The Thompson twins have taken over the league with their insane athleticism and elite defensive skills, and the Rockets need Amen to play at this level to have a fighting chance against Golden State.
