Pistons' Ausar Thompson cleared to play after missing 8 months with blood clot

Ausar Thompson and the Detroit Pistons finally received the good news they have been awaiting.

Thompson on Monday officially has been cleared to resume full five-on-five basketball activity after his rookie season was prematurely shut down due to blood clots, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association announced.

He has missed 11 games so far this season for the Pistons (4-7), eight months since his last game appearance March 9. He sat out the final 19 games last season. It's unknown how long the ramp-up period might take before Thompson debuts this season.

Thompson, 21, had to clear the NBA's Fitness-To-Play Panel, which consists of three physicians – one appointed by the NBA, one appointed by the NBPA and one approved by both parties – who determine if it's safe for a player dealing with a life-threatening medical situation to return to basketball.

During media day Sept. 30, new Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said Thompson could participate in conditioning and non-contact drills while awaiting the final decision. Thompson initially was cleared for conditioning work before the end of March. He last played in a game March 9 vs. Dallas, exiting early with what initially was deemed "asthma."

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"We’re supporting him as much as possible and just waiting for the resolution from the NBA and the PA," Langdon said at media day. "We’re excited and look forward to having Ausar back. This time I just can’t say any more to that as we’re just looking for a resolution to that process."

"Ever since what happened, happened, I've been working out and have slowly progressed the workouts to be harder and harder," Thompson said on media day. "Right now I feel great, I feel perfectly fine." 

EXPERT EXPLAINS:What Ausar Thompson's blood clot means for his future with Pistons

Thompson averaged 8.8 points in 63 games (38 starts) last season, with 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.1 minutes per game. He shot 48.3% from the field but an NBA-worst 18.6% (21-for-113) from 3-point range. He was the team's best perimeter defender, averaging 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

Rookie Ron Holland, 19, has stepped up in place of Thompson's do-everything role. The No. 5 overall pick in June has averaged 6.1 points per game over 14.4 minutes in 11 appearances this season.

The Pistons next play Tuesday vs. the Miami Heat in an NBA Cup opening game.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X @omarisankofa.