NBA Suspends Amen Thompson After Miami Heat Altercation

Even the most promising rookie seasons can take an unexpected turn when emotions spill over on the court. On December 31, 2024, Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson found himself at the center of a league discipline decision after an altercation with the Miami Heat, and here’s exactly what happened, what the NBA ruled, and how it fits into the 6’7″ rookie’s emerging career.

Position: Small Forward / Point Guard ·
Height: 6’7″ ·
Weight: 200 lbs ·
Team: Houston Rockets ·
Draft: 2023, Round 1, Pick 4 ·
Born: January 30, 2003

Nine key facts about Amen Thompson: a rookie who entered the league as a top-4 pick alongside his twin brother Ausar and now faces his first NBA discipline.

Is the NBA going to suspend Amen Thompson?

Yes — the league acted swiftly. On December 31, 2024, the NBA announced a two-game suspension without pay for Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson for his role in an on-court altercation with the Miami Heat, along with a one-game suspension for Heat guard Terry Rozier. The decision was outlined in an official release by NBA.com (the league’s official site).

The altercation began between Amen Thompson and Tyler Herro during the Heat-Rockets game on Sunday night.

— NBA.com

What happened between Amen Thompson and the Miami Heat?

• The altercation began between Amen Thompson and Tyler Herro during the Heat-Rockets game on Sunday night, according to NBA.com.
• Thompson slammed Herro to the ground, initiating the physical confrontation, as reported by The Athletic (sports journalism).
• Four players were ejected: Thompson, Herro, Jalen Green, and Rozier, along with Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan and head coach Ime Udoka.
• The league also fined Houston’s Jalen Green $35,000 and Miami’s Tyler Herro $25,000 for their involvement.

Thompson started the altercation by slamming Herro to the ground.

— The Athletic

What penalty did the NBA impose?

• Thompson: two-game suspension without pay, to be served Jan. 1 against Dallas and Jan. 3 against Boston (NBA.com).
• Rozier: one-game suspension without pay, served Jan. 1 when Miami hosted New Orleans.
• Coach Ime Udoka was fined $50,000 for verbally abusing a game official and not leaving the court in a timely manner (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
• Total fines from the incident: $145,000, per ESPN.

The implication: The league’s quick and layered response — suspensions, fines, and coach penalties — sent a signal that player safety and game control are non-negotiable, even for rising stars.

Who is Amen Thompson’s twin brother?

Amen Thompson is the identical twin brother of Ausar Thompson, another top-5 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The two share the middle name XLNC, pronounced “excellence,” according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).

What is the name of Amen Thompson’s twin?

• Ausar Thompson — identical twin.
• Both were selected in the top five of the 2023 NBA Draft: Amen at No. 4 by Houston, Ausar at No. 5 by Detroit (Wikipedia (Ausar Thompson)).

Are both brothers in the NBA?

• Yes. Amen plays for the Houston Rockets, Ausar for the Detroit Pistons (Wikipedia).
• Both made their NBA debuts in October 2023.

What this means: The Thompson twins are one of the few identical sibling duos in NBA history, and their parallel rookie journeys add a unique narrative layer to the league’s rising talent pool.

What is Amen Thompson’s ethnicity?

Amen Thompson is an American professional basketball player of African-American descent, born in Oakland, California. Wikipedia lists his nationality as American.

What is Amen Thompson’s family background?

• Born January 30, 2003, in Oakland, California (Wikipedia).
• African-American heritage.
• He and his twin brother Ausar were raised in Oakland before moving to Florida for their high school careers.

The pattern: Thompson’s background reflects a growing wave of California-bred talent entering the NBA, but his story is distinct because of the twin dynamic and the family’s emphasis on the unusual middle name “XLNC.”

What are Amen Thompson’s career stats?

Thompson’s 2025 regular-season averages stand at 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game — a strong second-year leap from his rookie numbers. He was drafted 4th overall in 2023 and earned All-Rookie Team and All-Defensive Team recognition.

What are Amen Thompson’s 2025 season averages?

• 18.3 PTS, 7.8 REB, 5.3 AST (as of late 2025 season).
• Shooting splits and advanced metrics available via Basketball-Reference (stats aggregator).

How did his rookie season compare?

• Rookie year (2023-24): lower averages as he adjusted to NBA pace.
• All-Rookie Team selection (2024).
• All-Defensive Team recognition (likely 2025) — demonstrating his two-way impact.

The catch: The Rockets now face a decision about how to manage Thompson’s minutes and discipline while maintaining his development arc.

What is Amen Thompson’s contract?

Thompson signed a four-year rookie contract with the Houston Rockets in 2023, valued at approximately $40 million total. The deal includes a team option for the fourth year.

How much is Amen Thompson’s rookie contract worth?

• Approximately $40 million over four years.
• Based on the rookie scale for the 4th overall pick, per RealGM (contract data).

How many years does the contract span?

• 4 years (2023-2027), with a team option for the 2026-27 season.
• Thompson’s salary cap hit in 2025-26 is around $10 million, per Spotrac (salary tracker).

Why this matters: The suspension cost Thompson roughly $127,586 in salary from the two missed games — a tangible financial consequence that underscores the NBA’s stance on player conduct.

For the Houston Rockets, the suspension of Amen Thompson is a tangible setback in a season where every game counts toward playoff positioning. The team must now navigate two games without one of their most dynamic young wings, while Thompson faces a financial hit and a league-wide mark on his record. The choice for the Rockets: either absorb the loss and move forward, or use the incident as a teaching moment for a rookie whose future remains bright.