The Detroit Pistons have hit another setback this season with the announcement that rookie Ausar Thompson and fourth-year big man Isaiah Stewart will sit out the rest of the 2024 campaign. Thompson has been sidelined by a blood clot, while Stewart is nursing a right hamstring strain.
Thompson's situation, which was originally reported as asthma and later updated to an "illness; medical," has been revealed to be treatment for a blood clot, as confirmed by Detroit Free Press. He was selected fifth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft but will now miss the final 14 games after already having been absent for five due to the condition. Despite the diagnosis, Thompson has been cleared to resume conditioning, with plans to escalate activities over the summer.
According to CBS Detroit, team head coach Monty Williams acknowledged the impact of losing both players, "Both Thompson and Isaiah Stewart are big blows to the team," he said. "These are two guys that are starters for us and helped us in a number of ways in every facet of the game." Williams also emphasized the team's "next man up" mentality but recognized the gravity of the situation.
On the other hand, Stewart who recently signed a new four-year, $64 million deal has been tackled with various injuries, including the hamstring issue that has ultimately ended his season prematurely. Despite his injuries, Stewart has improved his shooting this season, posing as a stretch big for the Pistons and achieving an impressive 38.3% from beyond the arc, as noted by Detroit Free Press.
The youngsters' absence is a continuation of what has been a rough season for the Pistons, a team that has been riddled with injuries from start to finish. The Pistons have been plagued with injuries all season, and the loss of Thompson and Stewart is yet another hurdle in a challenging campaign, as asserted by mlive. The Pistons have a record of just 12 wins through 68 games thus far, leaving fans to hope for a better fortune next season.
Thompson and Stewart's health and recovery will be closely monitored as the Pistons shift focus to the future and look to rebuild their strength for the next NBA season.
