Kevin Durant's chase for a third ring comes down to two young stars

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THE CROWD FELL silent after hearing the dead thud of the back of Amen Thompson's head bouncing off the hardwood at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

But it was the other side of Thompson's head that took the worst of the play.

Backpedaling in transition, Thompson tried to establish position at the rim defending Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards, who outweighs him by nearly 50 pounds. As Richards launched for a dunk, his right elbow smashed flush against Thompson's chin, sending the guard skyward off both feet, while opening a gash that the Rockets guard told ESPN required "a different kind of tape" to seal.

"[It was] good he could bounce back and not roll around and act…