Amen Thompson stuffs Wemby at rim as Rockets hold off Spurs - ESPN

AUSTIN, Texas — Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson couldn't quite explain what happened after sealing a 114-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs by swatting away a last-gasp attempt at the rim by Victor Wembanyama.

In the aftermath of the game-saving play, Rockets forward Kevin Durant scurried over in excitement to deliver Thompson a message Friday as the sellout crowd at Moody Center groaned in disbelief.

«I said, 'What the f--- is wrong with him, thinking he was just going to lay it up so easily?'» Durant recalled.

«I don't know,» Thompson shot back.

With five seconds remaining and Houston clinging to a 112-110 lead, Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox floated a pass over Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. to Wembanyama, just as the big man spun toward the basket outside the restricted area. Wembanyama soared for what ends with a dunk in most cases. But Wembanyama's eight-foot wingspan couldn't clear Thompson's seven-foot reach and pogo-stick leaping ability.

«I just knew they were going to try to get probably me or one of the other smaller guys on him,» Thompson said. «I jump pretty high, so I wouldn't try to keep ducking [in on] me.»

Thompson smacked Wembanyama's attempt into the waiting hands of Fred VanVleet, who iced the game with a pair of free throws.

«Man, what an incredible block,» Durant said. «It was just insane, man. As soon as your feet hit the ground, to be able to bounce back up so quick, that's rare in any human. To be 6-7, dunk the ball and block shots like a center is insane.»

Thompson finished with a team-worst minus-12 on the box score. But what transpired on the floor told a different story for the 23-year-old, who finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a pair of steals.

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