Ausar Thompson

More “must-see” than they’ve been in quite some time, the Detroit Pistons entered the new year — and a perfectly-timed four-game homestand — with quite the message: January 4, 2025’s matchup wasn’t the one to be a few minutes late to. Playing host to their own in-game “Slam Dunk Contest” of sorts during the game’s first two minutes, Ausar Thompson and his athletically-gifted teammates move with wide-eyed ambition after a teammate’s steal introduces a potential four-on-one transition opportunity. Knowing the possession to be in good hands as his All-Star floor general takes the lead, Thompson benefits, taking an off-the-backboard alley-oop lob and powering it through for a rim-rocking finish. Alley-oops and more-athletic-than-you displays came to define Detroit’s evening, as they reminded the NBA world, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, of who sits at No. 1 in made dunks. Menacing on both ends, Thompson presented his contributions through 10 points (on a perfect five-of-five shooting), 10 rebounds, two assists, six steals, and seven deflections.