Tag: Ausar Thompson

Pistons’ Ausar Thompson reveals offseason area of improvement

Ausar Thompson had a productive first year with the Pistons and is already looking ahead to how he can improve this summer.

Ausar Thompson had a productive first year with the Detroit Pistons, and the fifth pick will likely earn a place on an NBA All-Rookie team at the conclusion of the season, as a result.

Thompson averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals on 48.3% shooting from the field in 63 games with the Pistons. He finished 12th in scoring among all first-year players, third in steals and fifth in rebounding in 25.1 minutes per game.

The 21-year-old missed the last 19 games of the season due to a blood clot. He is expected to begin non-contact activities now that the season is completed and gradually ramp up his activity over the summer in preparation for a full return next season.

He explained what led to the diagnosis.

“I was just not feeling like myself fully,” Thompson said this week. “The doctors brought me over and we found it out. Now, I’m on a mental and physical journey to get back.”

The conclusion of the season was an example of the inconsistency Thompson experienced. He had some highs and lows, as is typical with any rookie, but proved himself as a top-five pick, given his ability to affect games in a variety of ways.

He was ranked in the top 10 among all players in rebounds, offensive rebounds and blocks at the start of the season. He even became one of 15 players in history with at least 550 points, 400 rebounds, 120 assists, 65 steals and 55 blocks through the first 63 games of their career.

“I was pleased with my ability to touch the paint, pass the ball, finish at the rim, play defense and just be able to stop the best player (on the opposing team),” Thompson said.

Thompson played several roles throughout the season and started 38 times for coach Monty Williams, including the last 14 games before his injury. He had a productive year with the Pistons and is already looking ahead to the areas of his game he wants to improve this summer.

“I think the main thing is shooting,” Thompson said. “(I’m) going into the offseason very focused on that and being able to be a three-level-scoring threat because I feel like if someone is forced to guard me a little higher, I don’t think it’s going to be easy.”

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Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson to miss rest of season for a blood clot

Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson will miss the remainder of the season while being treated for a blood clot.

Detroit Pistons rookie forward Ausar Thompson will miss the final 14 games of the season while being treated for a blood clot, the team announced on Wednesday.

Thompson, under the guidance of team physician Dr. Ramsey Shehab of Henry Ford Health, has been cleared to resume conditioning. He will begin non-contact basketball activities after the season with a gradual ramp up of activity over the summer in preparation for a full return next season.

The fifth pick has missed the past five games due to what the team classified as an illness. He last played on March 9 in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, recording four points and five rebounds in 11 minutes.

Thompson finishes the season averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals on 48.3% shooting from the field in 63 games. He is 13th in scoring among all first-year players and fourth in rebounding and steals.

The 21-year-old was ranked in the top 10 among all players in rebounds, offensive rebounds and blocks at the start of the season. He is one of 15 players in history with at least 550 points, 400 rebounds, 120 assists, 65 steals and 55 blocks through the first 63 games of their career.

Thompson played several roles throughout the season and started 38 times for coach Monty Williams, including the 14 games before his injury. He had a productive year with the Pistons and could be rewarded with a spot on an NBA All-Rookie team.

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NBA Rookie of the Month: Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller win for February

Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller for the second straight time were named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller for the second straight time have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference rookies of the month for February, respectively.

Wembanyama became the first Spurs rookie to win in consecutive months since Tim Duncan in March and April 1998. Wembanyama averaged 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.9 blocks and two steals in 12 games. He led all rookies in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals in the month.

Miller averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 13 games. He became the sixth player in franchise history to win the award multiple times, and he was the first rookie this season to have back-to-back 30-point games in the month.

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson were also nominated for the award in the West. Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick, Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson were nominated in the East.

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Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Victor Wembanyama maintains No. 1 spot after historic performance

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

The regular season is past the trade deadline and approaching NBA All-Star Weekend, with the top players in the game set to compete in various events in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The crop of rookies continues to perform well this season, resulting in some remarkable performances of late. Led by Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Scoot Henderson and others, they have captured national attention and have been fascinating at times.

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The class will be represented in the Rising Stars game, as 11 first-year players will participate in the revamped exhibition. Including 10 sophomores, and seven players from the G League, the game will feature the top up-and-coming players.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Hornets’ Brandon Miller rises up past Chet Holmgren

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

Over half of the NBA season is in the books as teams and players around the league look ahead to the trade deadline and All-Star break in the next two weeks.

The trade chatter figures to ramp up considerably before the deadline on Feb. 8, with several teams expected to be active. The impending rumors and other speculation should once again create plenty of storylines to watch over the next several days.

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The league announced the All-Star starters for each conference last week and will unveil the reserve players on Thursday. Though there likely won’t be a rookie announced as an All-Star, the class will be well-represented during the NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

Pistons’ Monty Williams explains drop in playing time for Ausar Thompson

Ausar Thompson emerged as a productive player with the Pistons to start the season, but has has seen a drop in playing time of late.

Ausar Thompson emerged as a highly productive player with the Detroit Pistons to start the season, but the fifth pick has seen a drop in playing time recently.

Thompson has played in every game this season and had a strong start to the year. He averaged 11 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals on 46.5% shooting from the field in 19 games in October and November. He averaged 28.9 minutes per game during that time frame.

However, Thompson is down to 19.2 average minutes since Dec. 1. He has finished in double figures just twice during that span, averaging 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 42.9% shooting from the field in 17 appearances.

Pistons coach Monty Williams has been very complimentary of Thompson, though he also hasn’t shied away from benching him for various reasons. Williams explained the lack of playing time, via James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Thompson, at one point this season, was ranked in the top 10 among all players in the league in rebounds, offensive rebounds and blocks. He also became the first player since 1978 to tally at least 115 rebounds, 35 assists, 20 blocks and 10 steals over the first 12 games of his career.

The recent downtick in playing time has prevented Thompson from remaining among the league leaders in those stat categories, but the 20-year-old still leads all rookies in offensive rebounds (81) and is third in total rebounds (247) and fourth in blocks (37).

He has certainly experienced the usual ups and downs of a rookie season but has established himself as a franchise cornerstone for years to come with his athleticism, length and ability on the court.

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Thompson Twins: Amen, Rockets defeat Ausar, Pistons in first matchup

Amen Thompson finished had a career night in his first matchup against his twin brother, Ausar, to help the Rockets defeat the Pistons.

Amen Thompson had a career night and emerged victorious in his first matchup against his twin brother, Ausar Thompson, to help the Houston Rockets defeat the Detroit Pistons.

Amen produced 12 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals in the 136-113 win on Monday. He went 5-of-6 from the field in 28 minutes off the bench in his 12th appearance of the season with the Rockets. On the other side, Ausar finished with five points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

The matchup was the first time the two brothers faced each other at any level of basketball. Their older brother, Troy Thompson, estimated that about 30 friends and family would be in attendance to watch the contest.

Amen called it a special night before the game.

“It is going to be a special moment for me, him, my family and my friends,” Amen told Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network. “I’ve got a lot of people coming. It is special.”

The first unofficial matchup between Amen and Ausar was scratched in July when the fourth pick suffered an ankle injury that prevented him from playing in the NBA Summer League contest.

To celebrate the first regular-season matchup, the Rockets hosted a “twin night” at Toyota Center, featuring giveaways of interlocking bobbleheads of the two players. The Pistons will do the same when the two teams meet for the second and final time of the season on Jan. 12.

They were matched up on each other periodically throughout the contest. However, neither player when guarded by the other, so the collective basketball community will have to wait to see if one brother can dunk on the other this season.

The evening certainly proved to be special for Amen and Ausar, who became the first siblings selected in the top 10 of the same NBA draft. They figure to see each other for years to come.

“It is crazy, but seeing him on the court warming up is weird; him being on a different team,” Ausar told Natalie Kerwin of Bally Sports Detroit before the game. “I haven’t seen him practice in so long. It is crazy we’re in this position. We’ve dreamed of this moment for so long.”

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In battle of twins, Amen Thompson enjoys career night for Rockets

In a matchup against his twin brother, Rockets rookie Amen Thompson finished with career-highs in points, assists, and minutes played as Houston routed Detroit.

HOUSTON — Rookie guard Amen Thompson has faced tough opponents throughout his basketball career. This season, he has faced NBA elites as he continues to work his way into the Rockets’ rotation under head coach Ime Udoka.

In Monday’s win over the Pistons, Thompson came face to face with one challenger who knows his game inside and out and knows his on- and off-court tendencies — even his favorite meal and movie. It was as if Amen was looking into a mirror when he was greeted by Detroit rookie Ausar Thompson, his twin brother.

This was the first time the brothers competed against each other in an NBA regular-season game. With family and friends in the stands to watch the New Year’s Day matchup, Amen outshined his brother with the best performance of his rookie season to date. He finished with 12 points and 6 assists in 28 minutes, all career highs.

Known as the “Thompson Twins,” Amen and Ausar made a name for themselves at Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before moving on to Overtime Elite, where their draft stock rose each minute they were on the court together.

The two accomplished so much together growing up, never being away from each other longer than a day, that it wasn’t unusual to see them become the first brothers drafted in the top-10 NBA selections. Amen went to Houston with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 first round. Ausar was drafted by Detroit with the very next selection.

There weren’t many one-on-one highlights from Monday’s matchup, but the brothers will have an opportunity to face one another again when the Rockets (16-15) travel to Detroit (3-30) on Jan. 12.

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Thompson twins react to first NBA meeting as Rockets rout Pistons

Rockets rookie Amen Thompson set NBA career-highs in points (12) and assists (6) in Monday’s showdown versus Detroit and his twin brother, Ausar Thompson.

HOUSTON — Over the course of an 82-game regular season, some matchups have more significance to NBA players than others.

For Houston’s Amen Thompson and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, Monday’s game at Toyota Center between the Rockets and Pistons was clearly one of those. It was the first time the highly touted rookies — each drafted in the top five of the 2023 first round — played against one another at a professional level.

The teams leaned into the theme, as well. Many fans received a special “Twins Night” bobblehead of both players. The same dual bobblehead will be given to fans in Detroit on Jan. 12, which is when the Rockets will pay the Pistons a return visit.

The Thompson twins were initially scheduled to face one another in the NBA’s 2023 summer league, but Amen’s ankle sprain prevented the head-to-head matchup at that time. Thus, Monday’s regular-season game on New Year’s Day was their first meeting.

Here’s our look at Monday’s Thompson-related activities, including statistics, interviews, observations, and reaction from both twins. Houston’s Thompson played a supporting role in his team’s blowout victory and recorded career-high totals in multiple categories.

Takeaways: Rockets blast Pistons as Alperen Sengun leads third-quarter explosion

Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green led the way with a dominant 47-25 third quarter, and that allowed Houston to cruise to Monday’s victory versus Detroit.

HOUSTON — At the midpoint of a seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, at Toyota Center, Alperen Sengun and the Rockets (16-15) finally returned to their winning ways with Monday’s 136-113 blowout victory (box score) over the lowly Detroit Pistons (3-30).

After leading by only four points at halftime, the Rockets blew the game open with a dominant 47-25 third quarter and ended a three-game losing streak. A fourth foul on Detroit’s Jalen Duren (12 points, 13 rebounds in 22 minutes) proved critical. Sengun quickly feasted against backup center James Wiseman.

In all, Sengun needed only 27 minutes to record a team-high 26 points and 9 assists. He shot 9-of-13 from the field (69.2%) and 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%). Many of those assists went to fellow third-year prospect Jalen Green, who scored 22 points while making 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%).

Other Houston players to score in double figures were:

  • Fred VanVleet: 15 points, 7 assists, 0 turnovers; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (50%)
  • Tari Eason: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%)

On a themed “Twin Night” at Toyota Center, Monday’s New Year’s Day clash was the first NBA meeting between Houston’s Amen Thompson and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, his twin brother. Both rookies were drafted in the top five of the 2023 first round, and Amen had one of his strongest games yet — finishing with a career-high 12 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 28 minutes. Thompson made 5-of-6 shots (83.3%), including his lone 3-point attempt.

Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) again sat out for the Rockets, while Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) returned from injury to add 9 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from 3-point range (75.0%). Brooks remains day-to-day.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and joyous fans. As Houston’s seven-game homestand continues, Game 5 comes Wednesday versus the Brooklyn Nets (15-18). The tip is at 7 p.m. Central.