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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 09: Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff reacts during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 09, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Wrapping up a back-to-back, the Detroit Pistons are planning for a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies in Michigan on Friday, March 13.
Following their win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Pistons have some questions on the injury report. As expected, the veteran wing Ausar Thompson is listed on the report.
While the chances of the Pistons getting Thompson back in the lineup as early as Friday night are slim, the team’s announcement on the injury report could be viewed as a positive development.
Detroit Pistons Announce A Notable Ausar Thompson Update
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)
As Thompson recovers from an ankle sprain, he was upgraded to doubtful on Friday night for the first time since going down.
When Thompson was initially ruled out for his first game with the ankle injury, Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff suggested the standout wing would be out for a “minute.” That led to unclear speculation–and hinted it could be a while before Thompson sees the floor again.
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However, a slight upgrade tells a different story. A recent report from ESPN also suggests that Thompson might not miss more than two weeks of action.
A Look At The Thompson Timeline
Ausar Thompson and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Ausar Thompson #9 and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons celebrate after a play during the second half 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)
via ESPN: “Thompson’s ankle should have him out around a week, sources tell ESPN, but the Pistons want to be sure he’s OK before allowing him to play. He’s their most versatile defender, and his perimeter defense in particular was sorely missing in their loss to Miami on Sunday.”
Before a March 10 win over the Brooklyn Nets, Bickerstaff discussed the loss of Thompson and how it affected Detroit on the court.
“Obviously, you miss him. You know, how elite he is at what he does, and how much he impacts what we do defensively. His ability to basically be a shutdown corner, or a guy who can get deflections, steals, and be so disruptive to create that chaos,” Bickerstaff said.
Coty M. Davis
“You miss him, how elite he is at what he does.”
Bickerstaff speaks on the team’s defensive slippage that has occurred since Ausar Thompson went down with a right ankle sprain. #Pistons
Thompson’s injury occurred just two minutes into the Pistons’ March 5 loss against the San Antonio Spurs. Since then, he’s been out for four games in a row, including the 131-109 win over the Sixers on Thursday.
If Friday’s game is out of the question for Thompson, then all focus will go into Sunday’s March 15 outing against the Toronto Raptors. Without a return in Toronto, Thompson just might eye the March 17 game against the Washington Wizards. That would mark nearly two weeks’ worth of recovery for the defensive standout.