Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Efficient in season-ending loss
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Thompson finished Thursday's 116-113 loss to the Knicks in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 17 points (5-7 FG, 7-10 FT), six rebounds, one assist, two blocks and three steals over 23 minutes.
Despite ultimately losing in six games, Thompson came alive late in Detroit's first-round playoff matchup with New York, averaging 19.5 points on 76.5 percent shooting from the field across the final two contests. After missing the end of the 2023-24 season and the first 18 games of the 2024-25 campaign due to a blood clotting issue, Thompson was able to play in 59 of the Pistons' final 64 regular-season outings. Over those 59 regular-season appearances, the 22-year-old forward averaged 10.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 22.5 minutes, establishing himself as one of the best young defenders in the NBA. Still, Thompson will likely look to improve upon his outside shooting, as he shot just 22.4 percent from three and 64.1 percent from the free-throw line this season.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Breaks out in Game 5 win
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Thompson closed Tuesday's 106-103 win over New York in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 22 points (8-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-12 FT), seven rebounds and two blocks over 29 minutes.
After being held to 10 or fewer points in his previous four games, Thompson finally got into a rhythm Tuesday despite picking up five fouls along the way. What was even more impressive than his 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting was his defense on Jalen Brunson, as he helped to limit him to 16 points on 4-of-16 shooting. This series will shift back to New York for Game 6 on Thursday.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Quiet in Game 4 loss
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Thompson recorded eight points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one block and one steal across 22 minutes during Sunday's 94-93 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Thompson was quiet in Game 4 and Jalen Brunson got the better of him once again. Foul trouble has been a problem for Thompson in this series, and through four games he's averaging just 20.8 minutes with 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals on 44.0 percent shooting.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Plays 18 minutes in loss
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Thompson closed with seven points (2-3 FG, 3-5 FT), four assists, three rebounds and one steal over 18 minutes during Thursday's 118-116 loss to the Knicks in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The second-year forward delivered another quiet night on the offensive end, though he was efficient while playing fewer than 20 minutes for the first time this series. Thompson is averaging 7.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals across 20.7 minutes per game during the first round.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Fouls out of Game 2
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Thompson produced five points (2-7 FG, 1-4 FT), five rebounds and two steals across 21 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 100-94 win over the Knicks in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Thompson was the primary defender on Jalen Brunson, but was quickly baited into several fouls to limit him to 21 total minutes. Thompson had similar problems in Game 1, finishing with five fouls in 23 minutes with 10 points, six rebounds and one assist.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Officially off injury report
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Thompson (knee) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Knicks.
Thompson sat out the club's regular-season finale due to left knee patellar tendinopathy, though he'll return for the playoffs. The second-year forward has averaged 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks across 28.0 minutes per game in his last five outings.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Expected to suit up Saturday
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Thompson, who missed Sunday's game against the Bucks due to left knee patellar tendinopathy, is expected to play Saturday against the Knicks.
No surprise here, as the Pistons opted to rest both Thompson and Cade Cunningham (knee) for the regular-season finale. Thompson had a terrific second season, posting averages of 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks in 22.5 minutes per game.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Very productive despite loss
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Thompson closed with 15 points (7-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt), four rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals over 29 minutes during Monday's 127-117 loss to the Kings.
Thompson continues to showcase his upside in nine-category formats for his ability to contribute across the stat sheet. He leads the Pistons in that regard over his last seven games, posting third-round value with 15.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Loaded stat line Friday
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Thompson recorded 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and three steals in 32 minutes during Friday's 117-105 victory over the Raptors.
Thompson was efficient with his shot and did a good job of filling out the stat sheet in this 12-point win, though fantasy managers who have trusted in the second-year forward are probably getting used to these stat-filling performances by now. Thompson has settled into a starting role for the Pistons due to his ability to play and guard multiple positions, and he's been part of the first unit in each of the team's 22 games since the All-Star break. During that stretch, Thompson averaged 10.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks across 24.1 minutes per game.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Productive in 27 minutes
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Thompson posted 14 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, three assists and two steals across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 122-96 victory over the Spurs.
March has been a quiet month overall for Thompson, but Tuesday's game was one of his better performances. Over his last 13 games, Thompson has averaged just 21.1 minutes per contest with 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks on 54.2 percent shooting from the field. His per-minute production makes him worth holding onto in most leagues.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Fills stat sheet in win
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Thompson closed with 14 points (7-10 FG), six rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 29 minutes during Wednesday's 116-113 win over the Heat.
Thompson can fill out the stat sheet regularly, but it's worth noting he's not known for being a prolific scorer. This was the first time he surpassed the 10-point mark since March 3, when he recorded 17 points in a win over Utah. Thompson's upside would be considerably higher if he were a more consistent scorer, but even as things are right now, he remains a reliable option across all formats. He's averaging 10.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks across 23.0 minutes per game since the beginning of March.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Productive in easy win
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Thompson finished with 17 points (7-7 FG, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals in 30 minutes during Monday's 134-106 victory over Utah.
Isaiah Stewart missed this game with a back injury, while Tobias Harris was absent due to personal reasons. Thompson stepped up in their absence, once again showing the kind of upside he can offer. He's been a top-50 player in nine-category formats over his last 14 games, averaging 13.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals in just 24.9 minutes.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Flirts with double-double in win
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Thompson logged 16 points (7-9 FG, 2-5 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and two steals over 23 minutes during Sunday's 112-102 win over the Hornets.
Thompson provided Detroit with a balanced effort Sunday, tallying a team-high-tying steals total while concluding two rebounds shy of a double-double. Thompson has recorded at least 15 points in four contests this season, adding eight or more boards in two of those outings.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Chips in three blocks in win
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Thompson racked up two points (1-4 FG), four rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 23 minutes during Friday's 117-102 win over Dallas.
Thompson continues to yield inconsistent scoring efforts. Since joining Detroit's first unit during the Jan. 4 win over Minnesota, the 2023 first-rounder has reached double-digit scoring figures in just six of 12 outings. Thompson, however, is averaging 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.8 blocks in 22.3 minutes per game during this frame, so he's finding other ways to contribute. That said, the Pistons appear to be watching Thompson's workload after he dealt with a blood clot to begin the season.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Close to double-double
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Thompson logged 11 points (5-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and one block in 23 minutes during Monday's 107-96 win over the Rockets.
Thompson finished just one rebound shy of a double-double, and the second-year forward remains a productive presence in the Pistons' lineup. He's made seven starts in a row, and his role isn't likely to change as long as Jaden Ivey (lower leg) remains sidelined. During those seven starts, Thompson is averaging 8.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.9 steals across 21.9 minutes per game.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Expected to play Thursday
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Thompson (illness) is listed as probable for Thursday's game versus the Warriors.
Thompson is expected to return to action Thursday after missing Detroit's previous two outings due to an illness. Thompson's potential return could send Malik Beasley back to the bench.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Won't play Monday
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Thompson (illness) will not play Monday against Portland.
After posting a double-double with 10 points (5-5 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists and six steals in 26 minutes during Saturday's 119-105 win over Minnesota, Thompson was a late addition to the injury report Monday morning and will be held out. With Thompson out of the picture, guys like Ron Holland and Simone Fontecchio could step into larger roles for the Pistons, who recently lost Jaden Ivey (lower leg) for the season.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Ties career high with five steals
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Thompson finished Wednesday's 105-96 win over the Magic with six points (3-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and five steals across 25 minutes.
Thompson continues to prove that he is one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, averaging 1.2 steals in 18.0 minutes per contest. The 21-year-old forward could also begin to receive increased playing time with Jaden Ivey (leg) sidelined for a significant period.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Slides to bench
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Thompson won't start Saturday's game against the Suns.
Thompson made back-to-back starts while the Pistons dealt with injuries, but now that the team's preferred lineup is healthy, Thompson will rejoin the reserves. In eight appearances, Thompson is averaging 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists across 17.0 minutes.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Questionable to play Saturday
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Thompson (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against New York.
Thompson was sidelined for Wednesday's game against the Celtics due to an illness. He doesn't appear to be under the weather anymore, but he is iffy to play Saturday due to left adductor soreness. If Thompson is unable to play, Ron Holland and Simone Fontecchio would likely see an uptick in playing time off the bench.
