The Houston Rockets are emerging as serious contenders for the NBA championship in the 2025-26 season following impressive improvements over the past two years. Central to their rise is Amen Thompson, whose potential corner three-point shooting ability could become a critical asset for the team’s success.
After securing a 52-win season last year and acquiring superstar Kevin Durant in a major trade, the Rockets have built one of the league’s most promising rosters. Amen Thompson, a high-energy point guard with exceptional athleticism and a sharp basketball mind, has been a key contributor to the team’s progress.
Amen Thompson’s Development and Defensive Impact
When Houston drafted Thompson, they anticipated his explosive speed and skill in transition would be major strengths. Beyond these expectations, Thompson rapidly emerged as one of the NBA’s elite defenders. His defensive prowess earned him a spot on the first team All-Defensive roster last season, confirming his impact on that end of the floor despite being only in his second year.
However, despite his overall growth, Thompson has struggled with his three-point shooting, converting just 22.1% from beyond the arc during his first two seasons. Opposing teams have often used this weakness strategically, sagging off him to limit his ability to attack the paint.
Promise in Corner Three-Point Shooting as a New Offensive Threat
While Thompson’s general three-point shooting numbers have been low, a particular bright spot has been his performance from the corners, mainly the left corner. Last season, Thompson connected on 20 of 54 corner three-point attempts, a solid 37% conversion rate. His efficiency was significantly higher from the left corner, where he shot 47.1% (8 of 17 attempts).
Although the 54 attempts represent a modest sample size, this data highlights a clear opportunity for Thompson to develop that aspect of his game further. Comparatively, his shooting above the break has been less effective, hitting only 5 of 35 attempts. Enhancing his corner three-point shooting could help Thompson become more dangerous offensively and stretch defenses farther from the paint.
For the Rockets to capitalize on this, their coaching staff will need to design more plays that create corner shooting opportunities for Thompson. Currently, he spends much of his time in the dunker spot posting up, but increasing his presence in the corners could significantly improve his shooting rhythm and the team’s floor spacing.
Implications for the Rockets’ Championship Outlook
Amen Thompson’s evolution into a reliable corner three-point shooter would be a game-changer for Houston’s championship hopes. An improved shooting threat from deep would force defenses to respect his range, thereby opening driving lanes and making him a more complete offensive player. Combined with his elite defense and athleticism, this growth could elevate Thompson from a promising young talent to one of the league’s premier two-way players.
As the Rockets prepare for the 2025-26 campaign, Thompson’s ability to refine this specific skill will be closely watched by fans and analysts who see his improvement as a key factor in Houston’s quest for a title.