The Detroit Pistons closed out the first half in style on Sunday, taking a commanding 67-44 lead over the Brooklyn Nets - and it was Ausar Thompson who put the exclamation point on it. With just seconds left on the clock, Thompson turned defense into instant offense, swiping the ball from Cam Thomas and launching a wild half-court shot that banked in at the buzzer. It was the kind of play that doesn’t just energize a team - it defines the tone of a game.
Here’s how it unfolded: Thomas tried to split a double team, but Thompson read it perfectly. He poked the ball loose, corralled it near midcourt with about 1.5 seconds left, and let it fly in one smooth motion. The ball kissed off the glass and dropped through the net as the horn sounded - a momentum-shifting highlight that had Pistons fans on their feet.
But this wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan moment. Thompson has been a consistent spark plug for Detroit all season long.
He came into Sunday having played 43 games, averaging 10.6 points, 5.9 boards, and 2.7 assists per contest. He’s doing it efficiently, too, shooting over 50% from the field.
While his three-point shot is still a work in progress at 26.3%, his impact goes far beyond the box score - especially on the defensive end.
AUSAR THOMPSON HALF COURT BUZZER BEATER 🚨 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 2, 2026
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That’s where Thompson has really carved out his niche. He’s currently averaging 1.8 steals per game, which ties him for fifth in the entire league. That puts him on par with defensive stalwarts like OG Anunoby and just behind names like Tyrese Maxey and Kawhi Leonard - not bad company for a 23-year-old in just his third season.
What makes Thompson’s defensive presence so valuable is his versatility. He’s long, quick, and instinctive - the kind of player who can guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses without needing to gamble. Plays like Sunday’s steal-and-heave are the flashy examples, but it’s the night-in, night-out consistency that’s made him a cornerstone for a Pistons team that’s been surging toward the top of the Eastern Conference.
Detroit, now sitting at the No. 1 seed just days ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, has leaned heavily on its young core - and Thompson’s growth has been central to that rise. Drafted fifth overall in 2023, right after his twin brother Amen went fourth to Houston, Ausar has lived up to the hype. The Thompson twins made history as the first brothers to be selected back-to-back in the top 10 of an NBA Draft, and both are already proving they belong.
For Pistons fans, Thompson’s buzzer-beater was more than just three points - it was a reminder of how far this team has come, and how bright the future looks with No. 9 leading the charge on both ends of the floor.