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Amen Thompson · Given both the seven-game tug-of-war and an identical number of total points scored (728) by series’ end, history confirmed separation to be difficult come by during the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors’ to-the-distance opening-round clash. Illustrating that closeness on-court, second-year star Amen Thompson — No. 5 in 2024-25’s Defensive Player of the Year voting — puts his credentials on showcase, invading Stephen Curry’s privacy with a quick-handed steal immediately after crossing halfcourt. Marrying it with an equally must-see display offensively, Thompson surveys his rearview mirror once before powering home an and-one flush that balloons Houston’s second quarter lead to 27. 24 hours removed from watching his twin brother evade elimination in a similar 3-1 hole in The Big Apple, Thompson took to April 30, 2025’s stage with both the blueprint and the motivation. A game-wrecker of the highest tier, Thompson’s 25-point, six-rebound, three-assist, five-steal, three-swat masterpiece (on 8-of-12 shooting) ultimately made him just the fifth-ever player to produce a similar statline since blocks were recorded. · State of Mint