In a league defined by stars and signature moments, there comes a time when a young player stamps his arrival with a single play — a shot, a steal, a dunk, something unforgettable that screams to the world: I’m here now. For Amen Thompson, that moment came in his second season, on the hallowed hardwood of TD Garden, under the bright lights of Boston. With the game hanging in the balance, the crowd roaring, and the clock winding down, the Houston Rockets’ young phenom made his statement. Twin called GAME.
The nickname “Twin” comes from Amen’s identity as one half of the Thompson twins, alongside his brother Ausar. But make no mistake — on this night in Boston, Amen stood alone in the spotlight. With under 10 seconds left in a tied game against the Celtics, the Rockets inbounded the ball to their 6’7” point forward, who had been electric all night. The Celtics, one of the best defensive teams in the league, were ready. Jrue Holiday pressured the ball. Jayson Tatum lurked on the help. The moment was heavy. But Amen? Ice cold.
He dribbled down the clock, crossed over left, then exploded with a lightning-quick spin to his right, leaving Holiday flat-footed. In one smooth motion, he pulled up from just beyond the free-throw line — midrange, clean, confident. The ball hung in the air like time itself paused, and then: swish. Nothing but net. Silence in TD Garden. Rockets bench erupting. Twin turning to the stunned crowd, pounding his chest with that fierce “😤” energy. That was his moment.
That shot wasn’t just two points — it was a declaration. A big-time play by a big-time player in Year 2. For Houston fans, it was a glimpse into the future they’ve been hoping for. For the league? A reminder that Amen Thompson is not just potential. He’s production. He’s poise. He’s a problem.
Coming into the league as the fourth overall pick in 2023, Amen had all the tools — elite athleticism, court vision, and defensive versatility. But Year 1 was about learning. Growing. Adjusting. He flashed brilliance, yes, but also dealt with injuries and the steep curve of adapting to NBA speed. Year 2, however, has been a different story. He’s stronger. Smarter. More in control. And in Boston, it all came together.
Against a Celtics squad boasting title aspirations and one of the deepest rosters in the league, Amen didn’t just show up — he showed out. He finished with 24 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, commanding the floor with a veteran’s calm and a star’s explosiveness. He guarded multiple positions, pushed the pace, and set up teammates with precision dimes. But none of it mattered more than the final shot. The game-winner. The moment.
Boston, known for its passionate fans and historic banners, is not an easy place to steal a win — let alone take one at the buzzer. That court has seen legends, from Bird to Pierce to Tatum. And yet, on this night, it belonged to Amen Thompson. He didn’t just make a shot; he wrote his first signature chapter. Rockets fans on Twitter were quick to call it the “Twin Takeover” and dubbed the shot “The Boston Breaker.” The memes flew. The highlight went viral. But beyond the buzz was something more important — respect.
NBA veterans took notice. Kevin Durant tweeted: “That boy Amen got it in him.” Even Celtics star Jaylen Brown, postgame, acknowledged the young Rocket: “He hit a tough shot. That kid’s gonna be a problem for a long time.”
And he’s just getting started.
For Houston, this moment is part of a bigger picture. The rebuild has been long, but with Amen leading the charge alongside young talents like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, and Cam Whitmore, the future suddenly looks very real. Head coach Ime Udoka — who ironically once coached in Boston — has brought defensive grit and structure, and Amen thrives in that system. His ability to defend, rebound, and run the floor fits perfectly in Udoka’s vision of a tough, positionless team that plays with pace and pride.
But what separates Amen isn’t just his athleticism — it’s his mindset. He plays with a chip, with maturity, with a quiet confidence that’s rare for someone his age. He’s not afraid of the moment. In fact, he welcomes it.
And in Boston, under the pressure of one of the league’s toughest crowds, with the game on the line, he didn’t just welcome the moment — he owned it.
“Coach trusted me with the ball, and I knew what I wanted to do,” Amen said postgame. “I’ve put in the work. I’m not scared of that shot.”
He didn’t say much else. He let the shot do the talking.
Every young star has a moment when the league begins to take them seriously. For Ja Morant, it was dunking over Kevin Love. For Luka Dončić, it was that sidestep three in the bubble. For Amen Thompson, it may very well be this game-winner in Boston — the night Twin called GAME.
😤💥
