Detroit Pistons rookie small forward Ausar Thompson will miss the remainder of the season while receiving treatment for a blood clot.

He’s expected to make a full return next season.

“Under the guidance of Pistons team physician Dr. Ramsey Shehab of Henry Ford Health, Thompson has been cleared to resume conditioning and will begin non-contact basketball activities at the conclusion of the regular season with a gradual ramp up over the summer months in preparation for a full return next season,” a Detroit Pistons medical update read.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Thompson, who was selected by the Pistons No. 5 overall in the 2023 draft, has been out of the lineup since March 9 with what was originally described as asthma before it was changed to “illness; medical,” missing five games. He will miss the final 14 games of the season after being one of the bright spots in a miserable Pistons season that’s resulted in 12 wins through 68 games so far.

Bleacher Report added:

The Pistons selected Thompson with the fifth overall pick after he spent the previous two seasons in Overtime Elite. His twin brother, Amen, was selected by the Houston Rockets with the No. 4 pick.

Losing their first-round pick is just par for the course in a dreadful season for the Pistons. At 12-56, Detroit has the second-worst record in the league and set an NBA record by losing 28 straight games earlier this season.

Without Thompson in the lineup, the veteran forward Evan Fournier and first-year forward Simone Fontecchio will see more action in the frontcourt.

The Pistons will be trying to snap a three-game skid when they face the Indiana Pacers (38-31) on Wednesday night.

 

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