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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena on November 28, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Heading into their Saturday, March 7, matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, the Detroit Pistons have a few key names on the injury report.
The young two-way star, Ausar Thompson, is among those listed, as he recently suffered a setback.
Just two minutes into a road matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, Thompson left the court with an apparent ankle injury. He was ruled out for the remainder of the matchup.
The Pistons went on to lose against the San Antonio Spurs in blowout fashion. A 121-106 loss issued the Pistons their second straight defeat.
After the game, the team didn’t have a definitive update on Thompson’s setback
What Is Ausar Thompson’s Diagnosis?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
According to the injury report on Saturday, Thompson has been diagnosed with a sprained right ankle. He is going to miss his first set of action since mid-November.
The last time Thompson missed time for the Pistons was a four-game stretch of games in November. They were in the midst of a league-leading winning streak. Therefore, the Pistons went undefeated in Thompson’s absence.
In Saturday’s action, the Pistons are looking to climb out of a two-game hole. They’ll have to do it shorthanded. Even beyond Thompson, the Pistons are going to miss another key starter in Cade Cunningham. The veteran center Jalen Duren is on the injury report as well.
What’s Going On With Cade Cunningham?
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on January 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Pistons downgraded Cade Cunningham on the injury report due to a left quad contusion. He is not going to get the nod to play on Saturday night.
Similar to Thompson, Cunningham hasn’t missed too much action in 2025-2026. His last absence occurred on January 21, when the Pistons took on the New Orleans Pelicans. Without Cunningham, the Pistons took care of business with a 112-104 victory.
In his last outing, Cunningham checked in for 39 minutes. The veteran guard shot 38% from the field to score 26 points. He racked up eight assists and came down with four rebounds.
Jalen Duren Lands On The Injury Report
Pistons big man Jalen Duren
GettyJalen Duren is on the Detroit Pistons’ injury report on Saturday.
The Pistons’ veteran center Jalen Duren is the third starter on the injury report for Saturday’s action.
However, Duren seems to have a strong shot at playing. His status is probable, as he deals with lower-back spasms.
For the second-straight season, Duren is finding luck with his health. The big man has only missed a handful of games this year. His longest absence was a four-game stretch back in early January. Duren played in 12-straight games after that before missing one more game due to an injury.
Duren’s latest absence was due to a league-issued suspension. After getting involved in an altercation against the Charlotte Hornets on February 9, Duren was ejected and suspended for two games. He returned on February 21, and hasn’t missed a game since.
The Pistons are on the hunt for win No. 46 on Saturday. With a 45-16 record, the Pistons are first in the Eastern Conference with a 4.0 lead over the second-seeded Boston Celtics.
Although they are shorthanded this weekend, the Pistons are fortunate to face a 15-47 Brooklyn Nets team that is in the middle of a rebuild.
The game is slated for a 6 PM ET tip.