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Key Detroit Pistons Player Avoids Injury Report vs Celtics

The Detroit Pistons anticipate having Ausar Thompson on the court against the Celtics.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

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After getting a long break, the Detroit Pistons are set to return to the court on Thursday night to face the Boston Celtics once again.

Lately, the Pistons have been competing without the services of their defensive standout, Ausar Thompson. The sophomore wing was a name to keep an eye on as the matchup approached.

Fortunately, the Pistons are rolling with the expectations of having Thompson in the mix against the Celtics on Thursday night. According to the official NBA injury report, Thompson is not listed, deeming him available for the time being.

It’s been a long road of recovery for Thompson. Late into his rookie season last year, Thompson was shut down due to blood clots. When the Pistons geared up for training camp to prepare for the 2024-2025 NBA season, Thompson was not cleared to practice.

He missed the entire preseason. The Pistons went through their first 18 games of the season without the former fifth-overall pick in the lineup. Finally, on November 25, he made his season debut.

Thompson appeared in five straight games. He produced six points per game on 41 percent shooting. He also came up with three rebounds per game while dishing out three assists per outing.

After the Pistons dropped their NBA Cup game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 3, Thompson was ruled out against the Boston Celtics on the following night due to an adductor injury. Three nights later, the Pistons took on the New York Knicks in Thompson’s absence.

When the Pistons participated in practice on Tuesday, the head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, noted that the team was taking it day by day with Thompson’s status.

“We are using this time as best as we possibly can for everybody,” said Bickerstaff. “[Ausar Thompson] is working to get back. He’s doing all of the stuff. He’s a tireless worker on the court, in the rehab place with the medical team and those things. So, he’s improving, and we’ll just take it day by day.”

Barring any unexpected setbacks, Thompson should be good to go on Thursday night.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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