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Just when you thought the Detroit Pistons’ season couldn’t get any worse, the team announced Wednesday that rookie wing Ausar Thompson will miss the rest of the season while receiving treatment for a blood clot.
Thompson left Detroit’s game against Dallas on March 9 after playing just 11 minutes due to what was initially listed as an “illness.” An “asthma” designation was added for Thompson to the Pistons’ injury report ahead of their next game.
Thompson has already been cleared for conditioning and will begin non-contact basketball activities after the conclusion of the regular season, according to the team.
“I’m glad the doctors noticed,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “From all the information I have obtained, they are handling it. … It’s a medical situation, but I’m glad they realized it.”
Thompson, the No. 5 pick in last year’s NBA Draft, has been one of the few bright spots for a Pistons team (12-56) that will likely finish this season with the worst record in franchise history. . The team also announced Wednesday that starter Isaiah Stewart would miss the rest of the year with a hamstring strain he suffered Monday against the Boston Celtics.
Thompson is one of the team’s two best defenders, along with Stewart. Thompson took on the toughest defensive assignment every night for the Pistons and earned rave reviews for his upside as a long-term wing defender.
Offensively, while Thompson’s three-point shooting has a long way to go, the rookie was a very good finisher at the rim and excelled in transition.
Before the medical issue, Thompson was on pace to be the only Detroit player to play in all 82 games. In 63 games this season, Thompson averaged 25 minutes, 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.
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(Photo by Ausar Thompson: Kamil Krzaczynski/USA Today)