The Houston Rockets walked off the floor with Reed Sheppard looking sensational, but Amen Thompson didn’t seem impressed, at least not in a serious way. His mix of honesty, swagger, and playful toughness stole the conversation after the Rockets’ win over the Washington Wizards. Nothing about his message was subtle. Nothing about it was soft. And yet, inside Houston’s locker room, it landed exactly as intended. The Rockets know their young core grows through moments like this, even when the words sound sharper than the mood.
“Amen told me in the weight room just a minute ago,” Reed Sheppard said, still laughing, “he said, ‘But if you take one more dribble when you're open and there’s no shooting, I’m gonna punch you in the face.’” Thompson didn’t deny it. In fact, he doubled down. When asked to confirm the quote, he simply said, “I did say that.”
A Message Wrapped in Motivation
This wasn’t anger. This was competition. And from Thompson’s perspective, it was necessary. He wants the Rockets to play fast, trust the pass, and punish defenses that hesitate to rotate. Meanwhile, Sheppard is one of the cleanest shooters Houston has drafted in years. Thompson knows it. The team knows it. Even the Wizards noticed it while reviewing the Rockets' preseason tape. So Thompson pushed Sheppard. In a league built on spacing and quick decisions, an open look is gold. That’s why Thompson refuses to let a teammate throw it away.
The exchange also showed how quickly the Rockets' chemistry is forming. No tension. No ego. Just two young guards pushing each other under the bright lights of a franchise ready to climb again. The Rockets want to be physical, fearless, and precise. Thompson’s challenge captured all of it in one loud, unforgettable line.
Houston basketball feels alive again. So the only question left is simple: how far can this young core push the Rockets once the real season pressure hits?
