The Detroit Pistons are set to get arguably their best perimeter defender back in short order, as ESPN senior insider Shams Charania reports that the 2023 No. 5 pick Ausar Thompson has been cleared by the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play Panel.
Detroit Pistons G/F Ausar Thompson has been cleared to play by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, sources told ESPN.
The 2023 No. 5 pick has been sidelined since March due to a blood clot issue and will now begin ramping up and preparing to make season debut in near future. pic.twitter.com/SVqJEoZrRS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 11, 2024
Thompson is the second player diagnosed with a blood-clotting issue to be cleared by the panel this season, following Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko. Due to Koloko’s situation and that of a couple of other players who have suffered from blood clots, there wasn’t a clear sense of when Thompson would return. After all, he had only been out since March, while Koloko was forced to sit out all of the 2023-24 season.
Pistons’ Crucial Ausar Thompson Update A Game-Changer
Thompson has been sorely missed by the Pistons. Under head coach JB Bickerstaff, they’re tied with the Boston Celtics for eighth in opponent’s points per game (109.6). There are multiple perimeter players who have stepped up defensively, including 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham.
FG% when guarded by Cade Cunningham:
0% = LeBron James
0% = Jaylen Brown
33% = Jayson Tatum
0% = Jalen Brunson
0% = LaMelo Ball
0% = Tyrese Haliburton
33% = Donovan Mitchell
33% = Darius GarlandTotal = 11% FG (4/35)
On-ball defense has been elite so far. pic.twitter.com/LIj3yzvwNp
— Pistons Jack (@pistons_jack) November 8, 2024
However, the main reason that the Pistons are just 4-7 is their offense. Through 11 games, Detroit’s team scoring average ranks 26th in the NBA (107.2). Despite their offseason additions, they’re converting just 33.9 percent of their three-point attempts (21st in the NBA).
One may wonder how Thompson helps in this regard given that his defense is ahead of his offense right now. While a fair point, the 21-year-old actually helps at both ends; one hand washes the other. Defensively, Thompson can take the tough defensive assignments being tackled by players like Cunningham.
Ausar last night:
15 PTS | 7 REB | 5 STL | 2 BLK
He drained multiple threes for the second straight game & is 5-10 from deep in his past three games. I think all five have come from the corner too. Love seeing him continue to shoot, the corner trey is huge for his development. pic.twitter.com/wTCbyLGtFf
— Pistons Jack (@pistons_jack) March 2, 2024
That will allow them to have more energy throughout the game, but most importantly at the end. To that point, the Pistons rank 28th in fourth quarter points per game (25.2). This number might improve if their best scorers are fresher in the final frame.
When he’s on offense, Thompson has demonstrated a keen understanding of when to cut and nascent playmaking abilities. This will help Detroit, who has taken the seventh-most iso attempts (98) this season, play more connected. If his three-ball actually starts to fall this season, he can be the ultimate glue guy.
