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The Houston Rockets stayed alive in the Western Conference playoff series with a 115-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 at Toyota Center on Sunday night.
Amen Thompson, who finished with 23 points, highlighted the team’s response after falling into an 0-3 hole and now pushing the series to Game 5 in Los Angeles.
On the group’s chemistry, Thompson said, “I love I mean, we’ve been growing. Feel like we grow every game. Just not relying on the coaches all the time, just we know how to play and we just got to be confident in the way we play and I feel like we did that today.”
The Rockets guard credited Alperen Sengun’s message during shootaround as a turning point before tipoff. Thompson said, “He was just letting us know he didn’t want to go home and I mean I was proud of him just taking that leadership role and just pulling us all back in there and being like it’s not how we end it.”
Houston responded with a dominant defensive and shooting performance, and Thompson pointed to execution after a difficult previous outing. He said, “I’m proud of the guys just back against the wall, us coming to perform, but we know we could do that all the time. And I feel like today we were making shots.”
Defense remained a key theme for the Rockets guard, especially the work of Tari Eason. Thompson said, “Yeah, he was amazing today. Just felt like he was everywhere and yeah, I felt like he was everywhere just doing the little things, guarding Bron, making it hard for him. Getting steals, being aggressive on the switch.”
He also referenced adjustments against Los Angeles’ role players, saying, “Just little personnel things like letting Luke Kennard get off, letting Marcus Smart get off. We got to respect those guys a lot more. They’re great players. So, just being locked into that matchup and I felt like that was great for us today.”
The Rockets also played without Kevin Durant, but Thompson emphasized collective responsibility. He said, “Whoever in the court, we got to fight with them… Everybody just go over there and do what I have to do. And then if we win, we win. If we lose, we lose together.”
Offensively, Thompson noted his growing comfort attacking space created by defensive attention. He said, “They’re backing up every time I’m driving. They’re bringing a lot of help. So, just getting to that spot, I know they’re going to back up and I work on that shot every day. So, I’m very confident in that shot.”
He also connected his playmaking impact to team efficiency, stating, “Makes our team a lot better. I feel like when I get to the paint, I command a lot of attention. So, just making the right read once I get there.”
Thompson praised Reed Sheppard’s shooting gravity despite inconsistent numbers, saying, “I never know Reed’s down. The way he comes in and he just starts shooting it again… Every shot opens up something different.”
On Eason’s style of play, Thompson added, “I feel like he’s always gone rogue just somewhat. But today he was really locked in from the rip.”
Game 5 will be played Wednesday night in Los Angeles, where the Rockets aim to extend the series again.
