It was an extended street to get again on the sector. Detroit Pistons Ausar Thompson wing.
After lacking a part of the common season all through the primary a part of the brand new basketball 12 months, Thompson lastly made his debut within the 2024-25 season on November 25. The second-year veteran was cleared after recovering from blood clots.
Thompson’s season debut got here within the nineteenth recreation of the season. He spent 16 minutes off the bench within the recreation in opposition to the Toronto Raptors.
After showing in 5 video games, Thompson had an evening off earlier this week. After the Pistons’ NBA Cup loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, Thompson was not cleared to play in opposition to the Boston Celtics the next evening.
Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the New York Knicks may mark Thompson’s second consecutive absence. In accordance with the harm report, he’s affected by left adductor ache. Consequently, it’s uncertain to play.
Ausar Thompson will get his photograph taken with Jaden Ivey and Ron Holland II. Thompson is listed as questionable for tonight in opposition to the Knicks, however was a full participant within the shootaround. pic.twitter.com/uLsvU8rAhg
– Hunter Patterson (@HuntPatterson_) December 7, 2024
Since returning to the Pistons lineup, Thompson has performed a median of quarter-hour. Throughout that span, he produced six factors per recreation on 41 % taking pictures. From three, he turned away 33 % of his makes an attempt. Past scoring, Thompson averaged three rebounds, three assists and one block.
The return of Cam Payne?
Veteran New York guard Cam Payne has missed scattered video games this season. Earlier within the 12 months, Payne was out from November 4-10, lacking 4 video games. His absence got here after the Knicks dominated the Pistons final month.
The reserve sharpshooter returned to the Knicks lineup on November 12 and performed within the subsequent 12 video games. He averaged 19 minutes off the bench and made practically 50 % of his three photographs, making greater than 4 makes an attempt per recreation.
Cam Payne QUESTION vs. Pistons Saturday (elbow) pic.twitter.com/gpv3dqHI6u
– New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 6, 2024
Payne was a vibrant prompt the bench for New York producing 9 factors and three assists per recreation. When the Knicks hosted the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday evening, Payne took time without work. He was coming off an 18-minute efficiency in opposition to the Orlando Magic.
At present, Payne’s standing for Saturday is unsure.
Jalen Brunson in query
The New York Knicks confronted an harm scare this week from their All-Star guard, Jalen Brunson. In accordance with the staff’s harm report, Brunson is presently coping with a decrease again contusion.
The Knicks listing Jalen Brunson as questionable for tomorrow’s recreation in opposition to DET as a result of a decrease again contusion. Cam Payne is questionable with a left elbow effusion.
– Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 6, 2024
Luckily for New York, the blowout eventualities they discover themselves on the correct facet of have helped them restrict Brunson’s minutes just lately. Over the past three video games, Brunson has averaged lower than 27 minutes on the court docket.
For Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Pistons, he may take time without work as a result of Brunson is questionable to play.
Earlier within the 12 months, Brunson performed a significant position in New York’s blowout win over the Pistons. Brunson checked in for half-hour and scored 36 factors on 63 % taking pictures from the sector. As soon as once more, Brunson is having a sizzling begin to the 12 months.
In 22 video games, Brunson is averaging 25 factors, three rebounds and eight assists. He makes an attempt six threes per recreation, hitting long-range photographs at a charge of 43 %.
Up to now, Brunson has but to overlook a recreation for New York. Because the Knicks had Friday off, the additional time off may have given him an opportunity to really feel extra game-ready. In any other case, the Pistons may have an excellent alternative in entrance of them, as they face a troublesome Knicks staff.