{"id":370480,"date":"2025-10-27T11:32:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T11:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/370480\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T11:32:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T11:32:16","slug":"ausar-thompson-just-keeps-taking-over-games-for-detroit-pistons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/370480\/","title":{"rendered":"Ausar Thompson just keeps taking over games for Detroit Pistons"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham is introduced during home opener<\/p>\n

Cade Cunningham is introduced to the LCA crowd for the 2025-26 NBA season as the Pistons play their home opener against the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n

Ausar Thompson<\/a> didn\u2019t need a play drawn up for him to take over the game late.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He capped an all-around impressive effort in the Detroit Pistons\u2019 119-113 win over the Boston Celtics<\/a> on Sunday, Oct. 26, with three of the most consequential plays of the game \u2014 all of which began with an offensive rebound.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the final three minutes of the fourth period, he had a putback dunk and tip-in layup to help fend off a late Celtics run. The third offensive board led to a quick assist to Tobias Harris for a layup, making it a three-possession game, 115-108, with under two minutes remaining.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t anything uncharacteristic about the sequence. Thompson, 6 feet 6, has been one of the league\u2019s top rebounders at his size since his NBA debut and a sharp passer. Rather, it was the entirety of his performance that stood out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He finished the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals, and was a plus-15 in a six-point victory. His performance entailed fastbreak dunks and difficult finishes in traffic, drive-and-kicks leading to 3-pointers and an assertiveness that reflected his enhanced role this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Pistons are putting the ball in Thompson\u2019s hands and challenging him to take a step forward as one of their primary options on offense. Through three games, he\u2019s answered that call while continuing to play his own unique game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can do it in so many different ways,\u201d J.B. Bickerstaff said after the win. \u201cHe\u2019s not one-dimensional as an offensive player. Getting offensive rebounds and putbacks helps our offense. Making cuts when other guys have the ball behind the vision, catching the ball in the paint, helps our offense. When he makes sprays, when he attacks the paint, that helps our offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE GAME: Detroit Pistons win home opener vs Boston Celtics as Ausar Thompson continues to impress<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s so many different ways that he can help us offensively and he\u2019s going to continue to grow and get more comfortable. He\u2019s in a really good place right now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thompson is averaging 17 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and two combined blocks and steals thus far on 53.8% overall shooting. He\u2019s reached double figures in scoring in all three games, with Sunday\u2019s output falling a point shy of his career high of 22.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s being unleashed a year after returning from a blood clot diagnosis that prematurely ended his rookie season.<\/a> The Pistons had him on a minutes restriction as he played himself into shape, and he crossed the 30-minute mark just six times out of his 59 appearances last season despite starting most of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The contrast this season has been immediate. He\u2019s played more than 30 minutes in two of the Pistons\u2019 three games and has also taken 15 or more shots in two games, matching his total from last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunday showcased the many ways he\u2019s able to make opposing teams pay. The game shifted in the Pistons\u2019 favor in the first quarter when he was joined on the floor by the second unit \u2014 Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, Javonte Green and Chaz Lanier. Their activity on both ends sparked the Pistons after they fell behind by 17 points early, and Thompson helped set that tone by battling to secure a loose ball, which also fired up the home crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A drive and kick to the corner for a 3-pointer from Harris late in the second period brought the Pistons within three, 54-51. An improved handle allowed him to break down and collapse Boston\u2019s defense, leaving Harris open in the corner. A fastbreak dunk by Thompson not long after tied the game at 56, in the midst of a pivotal stretch that allowed them to take a 60-58 lead at halftime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know his athleticism and his speed,\u201d Harris said. \u201cI think he\u2019s just doing a good job finishing, getting in the lane, making the right plays. I thought tonight he had some really good plays of getting into the paint and kicking out. I think that is a piece of his game that will continue to get better and continue to open up other things on the floor for himself and our group.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always thought he had a good handle, but I definitely think now you\u2019re seeing him in more actions,\u201d Harris continued. \u201cBut I always thought even last year that he had a really solid handle for his size and who he is as a player.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Jaden Ivey set to miss the first month of the season, at least, following arthroscopic knee surgery, Thompson\u2019s strong two-way play has been right on time. He spent the offseason \u2014 his first healthy summer since his rookie season \u2014 tightening the key aspects of his game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That work, so far, has brought immediate returns for himself and the Pistons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely feel like I\u2019m in a really good place,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cMy teammates believing in me and coach believing in me and going out there and being aggressive every night, I feel like that\u2019s when I\u2019m at my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

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