Pistons' Ausar Thompson cleared to return

Thompson has been sidelined since March when doctors discovered he had a blood clot issue. He will begin participating in full-contact practices and is expected to make his season debut soon, Charania adds.

Thompson’s return date will depend on his level of conditioning, a source tells Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.

Thompson, the No. 5 pick in the 2023 draft, was a part-time starter during his rookie season, making 38 starts in 63 games and averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.1 minutes per night. He was one of Detroit’s best defensive players, although he struggled with his outside shot, connecting at just 18.6 percent from three-point range.

He has been working closely with new Pistons shooting coach Fred Vinson while he was sidelined, Sankofa adds. Sankofa suggests that Isaiah Stewart could spend more time spotting up for threes whenever he and Thompson are on the court together.

Thompson sat out the last 19 games of his rookie year and has missed 11 so far this season, Sankofa adds in a full story. He was permitted to participate in conditioning and non-contact drills while the Fitness-to-Play Panel reviewed his case.

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

Detroit recently picked up the 2025-26 options for Thompson and three other members of last season’s rookie class. He will become eligible for a rookie scale extension in the summer of 2026.