Ausar Thompson’s Impact on Detroit Pistons Goes Beyond the Box Score

Entering the matchup, Dončić was averaging 36 points, eight rebounds, and 7.5 assists while shooting 49 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range during the Lakers' nine game winning streak.

Against Detroit, he finished with 32 points on 11-for-29 shooting. But with Thompson as his primary defender, Dončić was held to just 17 points on 7-for-20 shooting.

Luka Doncic with Ausar on the floor in the 1st half: 7 points, 3-11 shooting,

Luka Doncic with Ausar off the floor in the first half: 10 points, 2-4 shooting
— Ku (@KuKhahil) March 24, 2026

If not for the “UFO” that landed in San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama—Thompson would have a strong case as the best defensive player in the NBA.

JB on Ausar: "Ausar is one of the best defenders in our league in so many different ways. He can take a one on one challenge and make it hell for people. Tonight I thought he was phenomenal in his discipline."
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) March 24, 2026

According to Databallr, Thompson ranks in the 97th percentile in Defensive Plus-Minus (DPM), a DARKO-based metric that measures how much a player suppresses opposing offenses. His +1.8 mark trails only Wembanyama’s 2.6.

He also ranks in the 99th percentile in stop rate—a metric that tracks steals, drawn offensive fouls, and blocks recovered per 100 possessions—where he is essentially neck-and-neck with Wembanyama.

For good measure, Thompson is also in the 99th percentile in both steals (1.9) and deflections (4.4).

Mar 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder (8) in the third quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

And beyond the numbers, the eye test only reinforces it.

It’s his ability to fight through screens in pick-and-roll coverage, his length disrupting passing lanes, and his instincts as a low man—tagging the roller and still recovering to contest on the weak side. Ausar Thompson does it all.

He’s a game-wrecker.

The Pistons went 3–3 in his absence, and their defense noticeably slipped without his point-of-attack presence anchoring the perimeter. But even without Cade Cunningham, Detroit’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers marked something they hadn’t done since Jan. 21: win four straight games.

Ausar Thompson Defense Tape 3/20 vs GSW
8 Stocks
25 Minutes

Straight wrecking havoc for 25 minutes

Thoughts on his defense?

*Not every clip included goes towards the Opp FG%, but I included all relevant clips of his defense from the game* pic.twitter.com/Ke344EO5BZ
— Hoopology (@hoopologyxx) March 22, 2026

It’s no coincidence that the streak aligns with Thompson’s return.

With him back leading the defense, the Pistons held the Lakers to 8-for-29 shooting from three-point range—a reflection of Detroit’s ability to keep them on the perimeter. That included Luka Dončić going just 3-for-13 from deep, a shot profile heavily influenced by Thompson’s presence.

It can be easy to overlook Ausar Thompson’s impact. We’re in an era driven by inflated offensive numbers, and while there’s still room for him to grow on that end, his value mirrors that of Hall of Famer Ben Wallace in many ways.

In his prime, Wallace was often viewed as a limited offensive player, thriving primarily on alley-oops and second-chance opportunities. But what made him legendary was his ability to erase shots at the rim in an era dominated by post play—he was the ultimate disruptor.

Two decades later, Thompson is carving out a similar identity in his own way.

He is this generation’s plunger—shutting off opposing offenses whenever called upon. And his impact is becoming impossible to ignore.

With the win, the Pistons now hold a five-game lead atop the Eastern Conference over the Boston Celtics.

With 11 games remaining, Detroit needs just six more wins to secure the No. 1 seed.