Ausar Thompson is supposed to be a rising star this season and it looked like that for the Detroit Pistons but things have changed for him in the past two games. Some fans are now starting conversations about his role with the team.
It started on December 26 in loss to the Utah Jazz. It was a close game and Pistons, the much favored team heading into the night, is capable of winning that one if only they played their cards right. Thompson played just four minutes in the second half.
The 2023 5th pick finished with just eight points in 16 minutes
The next game was no different as Ausar played 24 minutes but was benched mostly in the fourth quarter, no thanks to a Kawhi Leonard explosion that gave Los Angeles Clippers their fourth straight win.
Fans started asking questions about the third year guard because of the benching.
ausar got a rookie’s leash in year 3. this dude is getting traded the writing is on the wall man JB doesn’t like him or value him
— 🩰🫀 (@shinjukuface) December 29, 2025
Best wing defender itl only playing 19 minutes while kawhi has 51 😭😭
— Chris Adams (@Chrisadams82) December 29, 2025
You can be an Ausar Thompson level defender and great scorers are still gonna do what Kawhi is doing right now
This is a scorers league no matter how good the defense is
Pistons desperately need another scorer.
— Mr. Detroit (@BARRtimeanytime) December 29, 2025
Ausar has played <23 mins 6 times this season. Pistons have lost 4 of them.
They only have 7 losses this season 😭— … (@mc142609) December 27, 2025
Not playing ausar at all is truly bonkers. He’s never ever going to reach his potential if you keep benching him even when he’s bad.. but hey what do I know
— Hassan Haulcy (@suum24) December 29, 2025
JB Bickerstaff’s explanation on Ausar Thompson
Explaining to the reporters two days ago, head coach JB Bickerstaff said it was triggered by a 44-point quarter by the Jazz. He wanted to look for the right combination.
“At that point in time, I was hunting for lineups that were going to compete on the defensive end of the floor. So I was giving guys an opportunity,” he said.
He also emphasized Thompson’s value and clarified that it was a wrong move.
“We know how important Ausar is to us. But after giving up a 44-point quarter, I was hunting for a group that would do the things that we needed to get done. But it’s an anomaly. We know how important AT is to us, and I don’t expect his minutes to range like that again.”
It happened again.
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