Report: Pistons' Thompson cleared for return

Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson has been cleared to play by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Thomspon, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft, has been sidelined since March due to a blood clot. He missed the final 19 games of the 2023-24 season and has not yet suited up this year.

The 21-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in his rookie campaign. He joined Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren as the only first-year players to record at least 50 steals and 50 blocks.

Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko was cleared at the end of October to return after blood clots sidelined him for the entirety of the 2023-24 season.

The Pistons have started 4-7 under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon.