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Detroit Pistons Get Slight Upgrade on Injury Report vs Hornets

The Detroit Pistons upgraded Ausar Thompson's playing status against the Hornets.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jan 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsCharlotte Hornets

The Detroit Pistons haven’t seen Ausar Thompson in action since early March of last season. As the rookie wing was dealing with blood clots, he was ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-2024 NBA season.

Although the Pistons hoped to have Thompson back in time for training camp ahead of the 2024-2025 NBA season, he was not cleared for action in time. That was the case throughout the preseason and the start of the regular season as well.

Thompson’s ability to practice was out of the Pistons’ hands. The NBA had to step in and decide when he was ready. Recently, Thompson was given the green light to begin preparing for his debut. Thompson isn’t expected tp play for the Pistons in their Thursday night matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, but he did see a slight upgrade on the injury report.

According to the Pistons’ injury report, Thompson is doubtful. While there is a much higher chance he sits, the fact that they haven’t ruled him out right away could be a sign that he’s inching closer to a season debut.

Last year, Thompson entered his rookie season as the Pistons’ top draft pick. Coming out of the Overtime Elite program, Thompson had a rotational role right away and started for more than half of his games in year one.

In 63 outings, Thompson struggled with his three-point shot, making just 19 percent of his attempts. However, he found other ways to score and averaged 48 percent from the field to produce nine points per game.

Defensively, Thompson was emerging as one of the top wing defenders in the league. He averaged six rebounds, one steal, and one block per game.

Year two remains on hold for Thompson, but the return seems to be near. Detroit looks forward to implementing Thompson into JB Bickerstaff’s system, which has involved a lot of defensive buy-in from the Pistons this season. The former fifth-overall pick should be a huge boost.

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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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