Thompson contributed four points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and seven rebounds in 16 minutes during Saturday's 110-101 loss to the Cavaliers.
Thompson picked up five fouls for the second game in a row, and that's been a recurring issue for the rookie. Over his last eight games, Thompson has averaged 4.4 fouls per contest. To make matters worse for his immediate fantasy outlook, he'll also have to compete with Bojan Bogdanovic for minutes at both forward spots, and the veteran scored 22 points in his season debut Saturday.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Set to play Saturday
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Thompson (face) is available for Saturday's game versus the Cavaliers, Johnny Kane of Bally Sports reports.
Thompson has been upgraded from probable to available Saturday despite suffering a facial fracture against the Knicks. The rookie forward has been replaced by Isaiah Livers in the starting lineup and will wear a mask against Cleveland.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Listed as probable
Rotowire
Thompson is listed as probable for Saturday's matchup against the Cavaliers due to a right facial fracture.
Thompson started Detroit's first 18 games this season but moved to a bench role in favor of Isaiah Livers on Thursday. However, the rookie picked up an injury during the contest too, but it shouldn't sideline him. Thompson may don a mask for a few games to ensure the facial fracture heals properly.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Moved to second unit
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Thompson will come off the bench for Thursday's game against the Knicks, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The Pistons haven't won a game since Oct. 28, so it was inevitable that changes were coming. Isaiah Livers will replace Thompson in the starting lineup, but it would be surprising if Thompson didn't maintain a significant role.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Scores 16 points in loss
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Thompson contributed 16 points (8-14 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals over 28 minutes during Monday's 126-107 loss to the Wizards.
Thompson's rebounding total was his lowest of the campaign, but he had a nice night offensively, finishing as Detroit's second-leading scorer. This was his first double-digit scoring effort over his past five games, and his 14 field-goal attempts were the most he has taken in a contest since Nov. 5. Thompson isn't yet a consistent scorer, but he's provided a well-rounded skill set, averaging 11.4 points, 9.5 boards, 3.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals over 30.3 minutes through 17 games.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Well-rounded production in loss
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Thompson contributed 21 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-6 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three steals over 35 minutes during Tuesday's 126-120 loss to Atlanta.
Thompson posted double-digit rebounds in three consecutive appearances leading up to Tuesday's matchup, and although he couldn't replicate that production in the loss to Atlanta, he was a dominant presence for the Pistons. He posted a season-high 21 points and was active on the defensive side of the ball. The rookie is still shooting just 14.8 percent from beyond the arc to begin his professional career, but he's otherwise gotten off to a fast start, averaging 12.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals in 32.1 minutes per game.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Season-high 16 boards
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Thompson finished with nine points (2-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists and one block over 32 minutes during Sunday's 119-108 loss to the Bulls.
Thompson has been a hit-or-miss player offensively, but his rebounding and defensive production have been superb. The rookie is currently averaging 11.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals in 31.8 minutes per game. That's a solid foundation, but there are still a few holes in his game, most notably a poor three-point shot (15.4 percent on 2.4 attempts per game).
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Produces another well-rounded line
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Thompson tallied 16 points (8-14 FG, 0-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals across 30 minutes in Wednesday's 110-101 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Thompson has flashed mostly on the defensive end through the first week of his NBA career and did so again Wednesday, but he's beginning to complement his rebounding and turnover-creating plays with more production as a secondary scorer. He's now hit double figures in the points column in both of his last two outings after averaging 6.3 points on 26.1 percent shooting from the field in Detroit's first three contests. Like most rookies, Thompson will likely struggle with efficiency during his first season in the NBA, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect major improvement from the 39.2 percent mark from the field he's turned in through five games. That said, the solid all-around production Thompson provides in the counting categories has more than made up for his poor percentages and probably makes him worthy of a roster spot in 10-team leagues and deeper.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Finds ways to contribute
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Thompson finished Friday's 111-99 victory over the Hornets with six points (2-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, six assists and one block over 30 minutes. He also had three turnovers.
Thompson never got going offensively, but his versatile box score contributions are a huge and sustainable part of his game. The 20-year-old looks comfortable with the ball in his hands, and his supreme athleticism will help overcome some offensive clunkers throughout his rookie campaign.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Likely to be starter
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Thompson is close to locking in a starting spot to open the season, James Edwards of The Athletic reports.
Coach Monty Williams said a starting spot is Ausar's to lose at this point, and it helps that the rookie had a phenomenal showing in his preseason debut. The Pistons are viewing Thompson as a power forward for the most part, but they may have to use him on the wings out of necessity. Either way, Thompson's fantasy arrow is pointed straight up.
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Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Fills stat sheet
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Thompson tallied 12 points (6-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt), eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks over 29 minutes during Sunday's 113-101 Summer League loss to the Rockets.
Thompson was simply a playmaker for the Pistons on Sunday, consistently making good reads and getting teammates involved. He did a lot of his damage in transition, getting out and finishing and making plays for others. The 20-year-old was also stellar defensively, totaling three steals and two blocks. Although he is yet to find his shot, he should continue to get ample opportunity throughout the Summer League as this year's 5th overall pick.
