Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson Shines Amid Team’s Resurgence

CHICAGO — Ausar Thompson’s evolving role has become crucial for the Detroit Pistons as they experience a resurgence in their performance this season. His notable integration into the lineup since Thanksgiving has played a significant part in leading the team to a 29-26 record—its first winning mark before the All-Star break in 16 years.

On the second night of a back-to-back in Chicago, Thompson matched his season high with 19 points, recorded a career-high seven assists, and grabbed five rebounds in just 28 minutes on the court. At only 22 years old, Thompson’s conditioning allows him to perform at a high level, although he has yet to play a full 30 minutes in a game this season. Assuming he maintains this condition, his performance could continue to improve as he receives more playing time.

“He’s growing into his role that this team needs him to be,” commented Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff following the team’s 128-110 victory. “Offensively, we need him to be a threat. He is an elite playmaker and a special passer but now you see his confidence growing as he’s finishing at the rim. He’s attacking the basket, putting foul pressure on people, and defenses have to account for more. He just adds as another weapon for us.”

Thompson’s standout moment came in the game’s final minutes when he executed an impressive assist, tipping the ball to Jalen Duren after receiving a lob pass from Cade Cunningham. Cunningham led the team with 29 points, while Duren contributed a solid performance with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Despite entering the matchup with only 59 NBA starts due to prior blood clot issues, Thompson has scored in double figures in 11 of the last 13 games. His efforts in initiating plays and searching for shots are becoming more aggressive, reflecting his growth and cementing his place as a young cornerstone of the franchise alongside Cunningham and Duren.

“It helps the group when you diversify the point of attack and now you get into different actions with a different ball handler, people in different positions than they’re used to being in. Him being able to initiate adds tempo,” Bickerstaff said. “He plays with a great pace to get us into our stuff early. There’s so many things he does that changes the way defenses have to monitor us.”

Thompson’s ability to adapt is starkly contrasted with his earlier season performance, where he often focused on creating opportunities for teammates rather than directly pursuing scoring chances himself. Shooting at a notable efficiency, he is making the most of his limited minutes and looks poised to impact the team significantly if he continues to develop.

“He’s just putting it all together now and it’s great to see,” said veteran Tobias Harris. “Every player has their own journey, and I just think that you’re seeing him blossom into his game and really figure out his spots on the floor.” Harris himself has also been consistent, averaging 17.9 points on 53.7 percent shooting over the last nine games.

In one instance demonstrating his intent to score, Thompson rolled to the basket after setting a screen and rejected the notion of passing to Harris for a short-range shot. Instead, he powered up for a two-handed slam, showcasing his aggressive and evolving offensive gameplay.

Cunningham recognized the positive impact of Thompson’s contributions on their collective play. “It definitely makes things easier on me,” said Cunningham. “I think it makes things easier on everybody. Just having that mix brings a different dynamic to our offense. Obviously, he can make every pass, get to the rim, and score over 95 to 99 percent of the league.”

With his recent success continuing to build momentum, Thompson also stays committed defensively. He will participate in the Rising Stars game in San Francisco on Saturday, which he views as a significant milestone in his career. The Pistons are set to return to action on Feb. 21 against the San Antonio Spurs, where Thompson looks to further his promising growth.

(Photo: Matt Marton/Imagn Images)