Ausar Thompson breaks down Detroit Pistons’ breakout 2024–25 NBA season (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of one of the league’s most dramatic turnarounds. After finishing with a league-worst 14–68 record last season, they’ve clinched their first winning season since 2016 and now sit at 42–32. With Friday’s 133–122 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit officially tripled its win total from last year — becoming the first team in NBA history to do so from one full season to the next.
Under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and a revamped front office, Detroit has reshaped its identity with a deeper roster, veteran additions, and one of the league’s more versatile young wings in Ausar Thompson.
“They’re funny. They’re fun,” Thompson told RG about playing for the current Pistons coaching staff. “They’re serious when it’s time to be serious … but they know in an 82-game season you still have to have that fight. I just remember going out here playing hard, for real. But they get on you when it’s time to get on you.”
Now in his second year, Thompson has built on his rookie season by refining his game and leaning into the defensive edge that earned him early minutes. Through 52 games, he’s averaged 9.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, while continuing to handle key defensive assignments on a nightly basis.
After his rookie year was cut short due to a blood clot, Thompson entered this season focused on continuing his development and maintaining a daily routine that could sustain him through a full 82-game schedule.
“Shooting, ball handling,” Thompson told RG. “It kind of went down a little bit as the games went up, but now I watch more film if I want to do some other things — and kind of preparing my body for the playoffs. But mainly shooting.”
He’s become an essential part of Detroit’s defensive system, combining elite athleticism with preparation and physicality.
Brotherhood, Film Study, and Defensive Impact
“We’re all together. We’re like brothers,” Thompson said. “It’s like a family. So just being able to talk to each other, and know it’s coming from a place of love and that, at the end of the day, we all want to win.”
His commitment to film study and opponent scouting has helped him gain a stronger feel for how to disrupt rhythm scorers. He’s become the type of on-ball defender that top players despise having to attack.
“Yeah, definitely,” Thompson told RG. “I try to see players’ tendencies — when they like to attack, if they come out attacking off rip — those are players that are a little harder to guard. But yeah, just trying to know what they like to do.”
Thompson pointed to off-ball physicality as one of the most effective ways to wear down high-efficiency scorers.
Offensive Chemistry and Veteran Influence
On offense, he’s placed an emphasis on skill work and staying healthy as the season grinds toward the postseason.
His chemistry with star guard Cade Cunningham has helped him generate easier looks by cutting off the ball or slipping into space when defenders collapse.
“He draws like three people sometimes,” Thompson said.
“So it definitely makes it easier when I cut and there’s nobody else there. He just has so much gravity … teams can’t leave him one-on-one with anybody, especially anybody smaller than him. That’s gonna be a bad night.”
Detroit’s offseason moves added proven floor spacers and veteran structure — including Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, and Dennis Schröder. But for Thompson, the value has gone far beyond shooting.
“It’s helped us a lot,” Thompson told RG. “It’s not even just how they shoot the ball, but how they come every day ready to work. He’s in here every day — people talk about routine — he’s here before practice shooting. You would think it would end after the first week, but he did it every single game. T does the same routine. Tim does the same routine. So showing us a routine — and it definitely helps that they hit threes too though.”
The Pistons have been eager to promote Stewart as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Thompson didn’t hesitate when asked if Isaiah Stewart should at least receive an All-Defensive Team nod.
“Especially if you try to dunk,” Thompson added. “You might as well just take a floater or a layup, just throw it up on the glass. You’re not dunking. There’s been two times that’s happened, for sure.”
For Thompson, this season has been about more than personal growth. It’s been about helping drive a franchise turnaround — and building something sustainable in Detroit. As Thompson continues to develop, he’ll only raise the Pistons’ trajectory further.
Grant Afseth
