Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson Draws Honest Admission From 1 New York Knicks Star 1 New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson hits the go-ahead three-pointer during Game 6 of their first-round series against the Detroit Pistons.Credit: Getty Images

Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson Draws Honest Admission From 1 New York Knicks Star

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 2, 2025 9:36 AM ET

The Detroit Pistons saw their 2024-25 campaign end at the hands of the New York Knicks after losing 116-113 in Game 6 yesterday.

New York won as Jalen Brunson hit the game-winning three-pointer over Ausar Thompson with 4.3 seconds left, and Malik Beasley turned the ball over in the ensuing possession.

Cade Cunningham posted 23 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and three steals on 9-for-22 shooting from the field in the losing effort. Jalen Duren, Malik Beasley, Ausar Thompson, and Tobias Harris added 21, 20, 17, and 14 points.

New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns Gets Compared to Dirk Nowitzki 2 Apr 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) walks away as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates the win during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons set a new league mark with a 10th consecutive home loss. They haven’t won a playoff home game since the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals.

Detroit Pistons News: Ausar Thompson garners praise from Jalen Brunson

Detroit Pistons swingman Ausar Thompson was given the unenviable task of being Jalen Brunson’s primary defender this series. Brunson reminded us why he won the 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year award, since he averaged 31.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 43.6 percent shooting from the field in the first round.

Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson Draws Honest Admission From 1 New York Knicks Star 3 Mar 3, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) dunks against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Despite this, Brunson gave Thompson props for doing his best. In his first-ever playoff series, the second-year pro averaged 11.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game on 57.1 percent shooting from the field.

“That dude was tough to play against,” Brunson said about Thompson via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “He’s big time. And I told him straight to his face after the series, he made me work. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”