Pistons await return of F Ausar Thompson (blood clot)

Ausar Thompson's rookie campaign with the Detroit Pistons ended prematurely because of a blood clot. Now, he and the team are waiting to find out when he can take the court for his sophomore season.

Trajan Langdon, the Piston's vice president of basketball operations, said Monday that Thompson still needs clearance to play.

"He's going through a medical process with the league and the players association right now," Langdon said during the Pistons' media day. "We're supporting him as much as possible and just waiting for the resolution from the NBA and the PA. We're excited and look forward to having Ausar back. This time I just can't say any more to that as we're just looking for a resolution to that process."

Thompson was selected fifth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, with the Pistons counting on him to be part of their rebuild. But he played 63 games (38 starts) before being sidelined following the first half of a March 9 game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Thompson, 21, said he is feeling well.

"Ever since what happened happened, I've been working out and have slowly progressed the workouts to be harder and harder," Thompson said. "Right now I feel great, I feel perfectly fine."

Thompson is doing as much as he can, Langdon said.

"He's been working hard every day and this process has been going on for about a week," he said. "He's allowed to do conditioning, he's allowed to do strength-training. A lot of non-contact drills. But that's pretty much what he can do right now."

Thompson averaged 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds as a rookie.

The Pistons started last season 2-1 before losing a record 28 straight games and finishing 14-68. They open the new season Oct. 23 against the visiting Indiana Pacers.

--Field Level Media