Ku Khahil here, the host of the daily Locked On Pistons podcast, with your daily Locked On Pistons newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pistons and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Ausar Thompson’s Return: A Game-Changer for the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center.
|Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons are buzzing with excitement as Ausar Thompson is set to make his return to the team. This development is pivotal for the Pistons, who have been eagerly awaiting Thompson’s clearance to rejoin the squad. His return promises to bring significant changes to the team’s dynamics, especially in the wing room, which has been a topic of much discussion.
Ausar Thompson’s Impact on the Rotation
With Thompson back, the immediate question is how he will fit into the current rotation. Before the season began, there was talk of Thompson potentially starting, given the high regard the team holds for him. However, with his recent absence, it’s unlikely he’ll be thrust into the starting lineup immediately. Instead, Thompson is expected to gradually work his way back, possibly starting with limited minutes.
The Pistons’ head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, is known for favoring a nine-man rotation. This means that with Thompson’s return, someone will likely lose their spot. Ron Holland, a promising rookie, might be the one to step back, allowing him to gain valuable experience in the G League. This move isn’t a slight against Holland but rather a strategic decision to ensure he develops at the right pace.
Thompson’s return also means that players like Simone Fontecchio, who have struggled recently, might see reduced minutes. As Thompson regains full strength, he is expected to play a significant role, potentially logging 30-plus minutes per game. His presence on the court will be crucial, especially in closing games, where his defensive prowess and rebounding skills are desperately needed.
Strategic Adjustments with Thompson’s Return
Thompson’s return necessitates some strategic adjustments for the Pistons. One critical change involves Isaiah Stewart, who must start shooting more threes. Stewart’s ability to space the floor is vital, especially when paired with Thompson, who excels when driving to the basket. The Pistons cannot afford to have Thompson merely spotting up in the corner; they need to leverage his strengths by involving him more in the offense.
Another area of focus is the closing lineup. Thompson’s defensive capabilities make him an essential part of the Pistons’ strategy in tight games. Bickerstaff will need to find the right balance between maintaining defensive integrity and ensuring enough spacing for a functional half-court offense. This might involve creative lineups that maximize Thompson’s versatility and defensive impact.
As Thompson reintegrates into the team, the Pistons are poised to see improvements in several areas. His athleticism, rebounding, and defensive skills are assets the team has sorely missed. With Thompson back, the Pistons can look forward to a more dynamic and competitive presence on the court.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Assar Thompson’s return and its implications for the Detroit Pistons, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
- The potential impact of Ausar Thompson on the Pistons’ defensive strategies.
- How the Pistons’ rotation might evolve with Thompson’s return.
- The role of Isaiah Stewart in the new lineup dynamics.
- J.B. Bickerstaff’s approach to managing the team’s rotation.
- The future prospects for Ron Holland and his development path.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Replay The Pistons lost a nail-biter to the Rockets, falling 95-94 in a game that went down to the final second. Catch the slugfest recap here. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Preview The NBA Cup tips off Tuesday for the Pistons. Get the complete rundown on what to expect in the inaugural cup. (Detroit Free Press)
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
League At Large
League At Large
In defense of the NBA In-Season Tournament
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Detroit Pistons Suffer Worst Loss Of Season At The Buzzer To LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets The Detroit Pistons suffered a crushing defeat against the Charlotte Hornets, losing control in the final moments. Could this be their most disappointing loss of the season? With Cade Cunningham taking only two shots in the fourth quarter, questions arise about his role in closing games. The Pistons’ struggle with three-point shooting, hitting just 33% this season, is another pressing issue.
Cade Cunningham And Jaden Ivey: Can They Lead The Detroit Pistons? Can Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey lead the Detroit Pistons to success? These young stars are proving their synergy on the court, boasting impressive stats when playing together. Despite the Pistons’ unexpected rise to 13th in defensive rating, their offensive struggles persist, ranking them in the league’s bottom 10.
Detroit Pistons’ Late Game Collapse Vs. Rockets: What Went Wrong? The Detroit Pistons, known for their resilience, faced a tough loss against the Houston Rockets, falling 101-99 after a late-game collapse. This defeat highlights a recurring issue for the Pistons this season—closing out tight games. Is Cade Cunningham stepping up as the leader the Pistons need? His development, particularly in defense and paint scoring, is a focal point of discussion.
