Ausar Thompson leaves Pistons’ defeat to Spurs due to ankle injury
SAN ANTONIO — Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson exited Thursday’s 121-106 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter and did not return due to a sprained right ankle.
The severity of the injury was not immediately determined.
“Ausar clearly holds significant value for us,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated. “What he contributes defensively, the influence he has, is something you certainly miss. We had to find a way as a team to compensate.”
Thompson sustained the injury while driving to the basket with 9:54 left in the first quarter. With Victor Wembanyama trailing and Stephon Castle defending at the rim, Thompson pushed off his right foot forcefully to change direction before immediately limping off the court.
Thompson fell in discomfort near the baseline as Detroit’s medical personnel came to assist him to the locker room.
A third-year player, Thompson is currently averaging 10.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, along with 1.9 steals for a Pistons team that entered Thursday’s game with a 99.2% probability of securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, according to ESPN Analytics.
