Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
It’s time to get excited about the 2023-24 Detroit Pistons.
Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson put on a show with a dominant double-double during the Pistons’ 79-73 Summer League win over the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night.
The Spurs were missing first-overall pick Victor Wembanyama, who was shut down after two Summer League games.
That left all eyes on the Pistons’ No. 5 pick. Thompson responded by stuffing the stat sheet with 18 points, 14 rebounds and two assists.
Thompson’s performance was highlighted by an eye-catching dunk on Dominick Barlow.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Ausar Thompson ROSE UP 😤
Thompson’s dunk earned reactions from NBA fans across the league, many of whom were shocked by the evidence of the G League product’s vertical.
G-Man @PistonsBlog
Wow im kind of speechless from what i just saw. Had no idea Ausar was capable of making plays like that
Big Ham 🔨 @HAM65_
Naw Ausar Thompson different. He did that from standing still to straight up in the air.
Thompson also helped his teammates score Friday night. Had they converted on more of his deft passes, it seems likely he could have racked up more than two assists.
Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Ausar always finds the open man fr pic.twitter.com/ZOJhsZhg2K
Viewers were convinced by Thompson’s performance in Friday’s game that this passing success could translate to the NBA’s regular season.
Eli Bashi @EliBashiNBA
Ausar is just like in a complete different tier from everyone that’s currently on the court. It’s honestly refreshing.
James Cash @CaptainJackk_
Aye if Ausar supposed to be the lesser player out of the twins, boy oh boy.
Keith Black Trudeau @Charlottean28
Ausar has made several “wow” passes on this game that have netted him nothing, but in every instance he read the play perfectly and made a split second decision.
SanksRanks @SanksRanks
Well
I missed on Ausar Thompson. He’s a good player, I was wrong on that one. After watching him live, he’s made a fan out of me.
After watching Thompson double-double with his Summer League teammates, fans started to imagine what it will be like to watch him play with 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham.
After a 2022-23 campaign cut short by leg surgery, viewers are ready to see Cunningham bounce back next season. They think Thompson could be just the player to make that happen.
BIG SLICK @FlossOnEm
Yea Detroit gone be so nice with Cade, Ausar, Ivey, and Duren. Very solid 4 pieces.
jeff (limited) @DedicationHoops
cade cunningham having the ball in a fastbreak with jaden ivey, ausar thompson and jalen duren all running ahead of him will be a scary sight
Danny @dajosc11
Cade Cunningham Most Improved Player.
Ausar Thompson Rookie of the Year.
It’s official.
Larry Golden @_LarroHoops
Ausar Thompson is so damn impressive. These twins are going to be so fun to watch for years to come. Pistons have a bright future.
〽️att Hartwell @MaizeCrusader
Ausar Thompson has successfully re-excited me for the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons finished with the worst record in the NBA last season. Having watched Thompson play in the Summer League, and anticipating what he might look like alongside a healthy Cunningham, fans have every reason to hope for a very different outcome in 2023-24.
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