On Thursday night, it was announced that Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham was named as a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Amid recent developments, he won’t be the only member of the team partaking in the weekend’s festivities.
After the celebrity All-Star Game is the NBA Rising Stars game. The format has changed numerous times over the years, but has reverted back to rookies vs sophomores.
Like most years, injury replacements need to be named across all events of All-Star weekend. Ausar Thompson is a beneficiary of this, as he will now get to compete against this year’s rookies. On Friday evening, it was revealed that he’ll be joining the sophomore squad along with Anthony Black and Toumani Camara. This trio is taking the place of Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Dereck Lively.
Rookie Ryan Dunn of the Phoenix Suns and second-year NBA players Anthony Black of the Orlando Magic, Toumani Camara of the Portland Trail Blazers and Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons have been named replacements for the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars. pic.twitter.com/rSBjihMMuO
Thompson spent an extended time on the sidelines dating back to last season due to a blood clot diagnosis. However, the versatile forward was able to make his triumphant return at the end of November. Thompson has played in 25 games so far this season, and is averaging 8.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.6 APG.
Competing in the Rising Stars game should be a fun moment for Thompson, as it will give him the chance to play alongside his twin brother. Also named to the sophomore roster is Houston Rockets standout Amen Thompson.
With Ausar now in the game, the Pistons will now be represented in two of the three nights of All-Star weekend. All they’re missing is Saturday, though that could change if Malik Beasley is chosen to compete in the Three-Point Contest.
The Detroit Pistons have announced that forward Ausar Thompson has been named to the NBA Rising Stars Game, which will take place during All-Star Weekend.
Thompson, a standout rookie for the Pistons, has been turning heads with his impressive play on both ends of the court. The 6’9″ forward has been a key contributor to the team’s success this season, averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds per game.
Fans and analysts alike have taken notice of Thompson’s versatility and athleticism, making him a natural choice for the Rising Stars Game. This showcase of the league’s top young talent will give Thompson the opportunity to shine on a national stage and continue to make a name for himself in the NBA.
Congratulations to Ausar Thompson on this well-deserved honor, and best of luck in the Rising Stars Game! #DetroitBasketball #RisingStarThompson
Thompson logged 11 points (5-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and one block in 23 minutes during Monday’s 107-96 win over the Rockets.
Thompson finished just one rebound shy of a double-double, and the second-year forward remains a productive presence in the Pistons’ lineup. He’s made seven starts in a row, and his role isn’t likely to change as long as Jaden Ivey (lower leg) remains sidelined. During those seven starts, Thompson is averaging 8.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.9 steals across 21.9 minutes per game.
Ausar Thompson had an impressive performance in the latest game, coming just shy of a double-double. The talented player showed off his skills on the court, proving once again why he is a valuable asset to the team. Stay tuned for more updates on Ausar Thompson’s continued success in the upcoming games! #AusarThompson #DoubleDouble #BasketballNews
HOUSTON — Ausar Thompson had Monday’s date marked on his calendar for months.
It was the Detroit Pistons’ annual trip to Houston to face the Rockets — and Thompson’s third time facing his twin brother, Amen, since they were drafted fifth and fourth overall, respectively, in 2023.
Ausar’s journey to the game, though, was definitely different, compared to last season’s meetings. A blood clot diagnosis in March delayed his 2024-25 season debut by a month, costing him the Pistons’ first game against the Rockets, on Nov. 10 at Little Caesars Arena. The NBA cleared him to return a day later, on Nov. 11, and his season debut came two weeks after that, on Nov. 25.
Since his return, Thompson has been a big part of the Pistons’ success. And he helped them snap a two-game losing streak and move back above .500 Monday with a win over the Rockets — another signature win for a team that has won 11 of 15 games since Dec. 21.
Monday marked Thompson’s seventh consecutive start for Detroit; he finished with 11 points and nine rebounds in Houston. (His brother, meanwhile, tallied 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.) Two months after his debut, Thompson has essentially picked up where he left off as a rookie and proven himself as an indispensable contributor on offense and defense.
And he was able to accomplish a personal milestone by beating his brother for the first time in the NBA.
“He’s not a guy who forces or presses the issue,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Monday before the 107-96 win. “He’s one of those guys who just plays basketball and makes basketball plays. His ability defensively to get stops, block shots, rebound the basketball, as a coach you don’t draw that up, you don’t scheme that. He just does that naturally.
“Offensively, his ability to push the ball, play-make, pass, offensive rebound, attack the paint, you don’t have to draw those things up and scheme those things up. He’s been able to show his natural instincts and I think as time’s gone on, now the more complicated stuff is starting to come for him and that’s a good sign for him and a good sign for us.”
Thompson is averaging 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals in just under 19 minutes per game. He has been impactful while dealing with a minutes restriction — rarely topping 25 minutes in a game and yet to play more than 27. On Monday, he played 23, while his brother played 40.
Thompson’s game meshes with his role. He’s the Pistons’ top perimeter defender, one of their best playmakers in transition and a great rebounder for his size. The team is 9-2 in January despite losing Jaden Ivey on New Year’s Day, largely thanks to Thompson.
“(It’s) us just trying to monitor him and keep him as fresh as we best possibly can, and honestly on some days that’s different,” Bickerstaff said of the minute restriction. “Sometimes I can look at him and see, ok he’s doing good. Other times I may look at him and think he needs a break. Just depending on the pace of the game — how many breaks, how many stoppages, free throws — all of those things play a part in it. The timeout situation around it, obviously those things impact the length of his stretches. And it’s kinda a gut feel as you’re going into the game as well.”
Thompson and his brother have a close — and competitive — relationship. The Rockets won 41 games last season, the Pistons just 14. Amen would remind Ausar that his team’s record was the Pistons’ record in reverse. A year later, the gap between the two teams has shrunk.
The Pistons are now 22-21 and finished Monday tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Rockets have been one of the top teams in the Western Conference but have just six more wins, at 28-15, even though the Pistons were 11-17 overall midway through December.
The rivalry between the brothers, by and large, only exists on the court. Thompson leaned on Amen while dealing with uncertainty at the beginning of the season, not knowing when his pending injury status would be resolved. He caught all of his games, and they often spoke directly afterward.
Was it tough for Thompson watching Amen play before he himself was cleared?
“No,” Thompson said quickly. “If anything, I had become his biggest fan. We talked a lot, watched a lot of film. That’s my guy for life, I can’t even explain.”
Despite the disparity in minutes Monday, the Pistons’ Thompson nearly tallied a double-double to help them dominate the glass.
He’ll have to wait until next season to play his brother again. In the meantime, he’ll continue working to make sure the gap between the Pistons and Rockets is eventually closed for good.
“With the minute restriction, it’s just going out there and trying to give it my all every time I’m in there,” he said. “Just trust in the process, know his plan for me and one day I’m going to get back to that. I’m going to do all the little things — I’m going to watch more film, make my minutes more, I don’t know, I’m just gonna say serious even though there’s a better word for it, and do what I do in those minutes I get.”
The Detroit Pistons have been on a winning streak lately, and a big part of their success can be attributed to the little things that rookie guard Ausar Thompson has been adding to the team.
Thompson may not be putting up huge numbers on the stat sheet, but his energy, hustle, and attention to detail have made a big impact on the court. Whether it’s diving for loose balls, setting screens, or making the extra pass, Thompson is always willing to do the dirty work that often goes unnoticed.
His teammates and coaches have taken notice of his contributions, with head coach Dwane Casey praising Thompson’s dedication and work ethic. “He’s a true team player and is always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Casey said.
Thompson’s selfless attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed have quickly endeared him to his teammates and fans alike. With his little additions making a big difference on the court, the Pistons are looking like a team to watch as they continue their winning ways.
Jan 14, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Let’s go over the top-dropped fantasy basketball players at the start of the 14th week of action.
These players were all taken from the most dropped waiver trends section, which can be found on any FantasySP fantasy basketball page.
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Fantasy Outlook
Nembhard has been dropped in 6.6% of leagues, bringing his total mark down to 47%.
Nembhard’s scoring has dropped from 19 to just seven over the past four games, and that dropoff is probably the biggest reason behind his dropoff in fantasy leagues.
On the season, Nembhard is averaging 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 0.1 blocks across 28.3 minutes in 28 games this season (all starts). He’s shooting 46.1% overall, 32.8% from 3-point land and 74.3% from the free throw line.
Since the start of the new year, Nembhard is averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.7 steals and no blocks across 31.3 minutes and nine games. His scoring is down a bit, but his other averages are mostly up.
I can understand why his own percentage is falling, and think dropping him is justified. Seeing his season averages, I thought his own percentage was a little too high before. With a dropoff in scoring of late, fantasy owners are moving off him in standard leagues and only rostering him in deeper leagues.
I’d keep rostering him in deeper leagues, but also be sure to put him on my watch list in standard leagues. Nembhard could get hot at any point, and then he might be worth streaming for a bit.
Only roster Nembhard in deeper leagues, but also don’t completely write him off for the season in standard setups.
Fantasy Outlook
Thompson is rostered in 48% of leagues after a recent 5% drop.
Thompson is averaging 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.3 blocks across 18.8 minutes in 20 games (nine starts) this season. He’s shooting 49.6% overall, just 25% from deep and 52.9% from the line. Over the past five games (all starts), Thompson is averaging 8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks across 20.5 minutes.
Again, his numbers are pretty similar to his season averages, or even a bit better, so his dropoff is a bit confusing. Really, he’s being dropped because he was rostered in too many leagues beforehand.
He fills up the stat sheet fairly well, especially in the amount of minutes he plays, but he’s no more than a deep-league option right now. Of course, Thompson should be rostered in a bunch of dynasty leagues as a 21-year old in his second NBA season.
Thompson is another player you can put on your watch list in standard leagues in case he heats up, but he’s really only likely to be a decent temporary fill-in at best, not someone who is usable for months, or even weeks, at a time.
Now might not be a bad time to check in on his asking price in a trade. If you think his future is even brighter, his fantasy value in any league type is probably a bit lower.
Fantasy Outlook
Allen is down 4.8% and sitting at 47% overall.
After a recent surge in own percentage, Allen is on the way back down. A couple of single-digit scoring outputs over the past three games are probably the biggest reason behind that.
In 32 games and one start this season, Allen is averaging 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks across 24.3 minutes. He’s shooting 45% overall, 42.9% from 3-point land and 85.5% from the free throw line.
Even with four single-digit scoring outputs over the past nine games, Allen is still averaging 12.8 points, 3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.2 blocks across 25 minutes a game. Allen is simply a streaky scorer, and his own percentage is going to fluctuate based on how he’s performing of late.
Lately, Allen is struggling to score a bunch, so his own percentage has dropped under 50% again. One big game in his next appearance could push him right back over 50%.
Instead of waiting for results to determine how to approach Allen, I’d suggest using FantasySP’s Team Defensive Rankings page. If Allen has favorable matchups more often than not for a stretch, then maybe it’d be worth adding him for a bit. If Allen’s matchups are average or worse, then maybe swapping him for a player who is in a hot streak is more beneficial to your fantasy team.
This is probably a trend that will continue with Allen all season, unless he’s traded, or the Suns’ roster undergoes some big changes. I’d keep rostering Allen in most deeper leagues, while streaming him during favorable timeframes in standard leagues.
Fantasy Outlook
Mathurin is rostered in 75% of leagues after being dropped in 3.8% of leagues.
In 42 games and 37 starts this season, Mathurin is averaging 16.3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks across 32.6 minutes. He’s shooting 46.3% overall, 35.8% from 3-point land and 81.9% from the line. He was suspended for a game and then returned and totaled just eight points, seven rebounds, two steals and one assist across nearly 25 minutes in a game on Saturday.
Mathurin is averaging 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks across 30.5 minutes in January. It’s pretty easy to see why some fantasy owners are dropping Mathurin.
There’s still enough production in Mathurin’s averages to roster in some standard leagues, but I think it’s justified to look elsewhere in other standard leagues. He’s in a bit of a tough stretch right now, but could also snap out of it in a hurry too.
If Mathurin gets dropped in your league, take a look at the players near the end of your bench to see if Mathurin might be a better option moving forward. I think Mathurin will get back on track soon, and then his own percentage will start rising again. At the very least, get him on your watch list.
Jan 18, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball while Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Fantasy Outlook
Johnson is down 3.6% and is now owned in 19% of leagues.
Johnson’s minutes per game have fallen off of late, and despite some decent results on the court, fantasy owners are deciding to move on from him.
For the season, Johnson is averaging 8.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks across 21.6 minutes in 40 games and 21 starts. He’s shooting 36.8% overall, 30.7% from deep and 75% from the free throw line.
After averaging 31.5 minutes between December 21-January 10, Johnson is averaging just 22.8 minutes over the past five contests. He didn’t start the last game in that stretch but is averaging 10.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1 steal.
I understand wanting to move off Johnson as he loses playing time, but he still played 23 minutes off the bench. It’s not a ton of playing time, but it’s enough for those of you in deeper leagues. He’s still putting up solid averages, even though the results are pretty inconsistent.
I’d keep rostering Johnson for at least the next week and then reassess his playing time and role at that point. If his minutes dip below 20 a game, and his averages fall, then it’d be time to move on from him. Right now though, I’d just bench him for a bit, or look for the most favorable matchups to start him in.
Andrew Nembhard, Ausar Thompson, Grayson Allen, Bennedict Mathurin, and Keon Johnson are all talented basketball players who have been making waves in the sports world. From Nembhard’s impressive playmaking skills to Thompson’s lockdown defense, Allen’s sharpshooting, Mathurin’s athleticism, and Johnson’s explosive dunks, these players have proven themselves to be forces to be reckoned with on the court.
Whether they are competing in college basketball or preparing for the NBA draft, these players have shown that they have what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the game. Fans and scouts alike are taking notice of their skills and potential, and it’s only a matter of time before they make a big impact in the world of professional basketball.
Keep an eye on Andrew Nembhard, Ausar Thompson, Grayson Allen, Bennedict Mathurin, and Keon Johnson as they continue to showcase their talents and rise through the ranks of the basketball world. With their dedication, hard work, and natural abilities, the sky is truly the limit for these promising young athletes.
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