In a dramatic finish at TD Garden, Amen Thompson delivered a game-winning floater with 0.7 seconds left on the clock, propelling the Houston Rockets to a 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Thompson’s late-game heroics capped a career night, as he scored a personal-best 33 points. The Rockets overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter, completing a remarkable comeback victory.
Dillon Brooks also played a pivotal role in the Rockets’ triumph, sinking 10 of his 15 three-point attempts to contribute 36 points. His explosive performance from beyond the arc tied the Rockets’ franchise record for most three-pointers in a game.
The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown with 28 points and Jayson Tatum with 19, fought hard but were unable to close out the game. Luke Kornet added 18 points and Kristaps Porzingis scored 17 in a losing effort.
With the Rockets trailing 110-112, Thompson broke free off an inbounds play, driving to the basket to tie the score with an easy dunk. After a timeout, Tatum drove in for a layup to level the game. Thompson responded by taking the ball from just outside the three-point line, driving to the rim, and hitting the game-winning floater over Brown.
AMEN THOMPSON WINS IT FOR THE ROCKETS IN THE FINAL SECONDS 🚨🚨
ROCKETS MOVE TO 12-3 WITH AMEN IN THE STARTING LINEUP THIS SEASON! pic.twitter.com/v77x2RHkV2
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2025
This win marks the Rockets’ ninth victory in their last 11 games, solidifying their position in the Western Conference standings. Ime Udoka, Rockets’ head coach and former Celtics’ coach, secured his first win against his old team in four tries over the past two seasons.
Thompson’s incredible athleticism and court awareness, as highlighted by his teammate Steven Adams, continue to make a significant impact on the Rockets’ newfound success.
“That was my first game-winner,” said Thompson after the game, “I feel like Kobe.”
“I feel like Kobe.”
Amen Thompson channeled his inner Mamba on the game-winning bucket for Houston 🐍 https://t.co/jHmKAVk6YS pic.twitter.com/2SlZqbb8hF
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2025