Ausar Thompson Dominates Defense

Ausar Thompson sparked the Detroit Pistons' decisive 30-3 run in Game 2 with his defensive tenacity.

What happened?

The 23-year-old Defensive Player of the Year finalist leaped from outside the key to get a hand in Desmond Bane's face, resulting in an offensive foul. Thompson was clogging passing lanes and blowing up Orlando's plays as a point-of-attack defender. He fought around screens and rotated to wreak havoc as a weakside defender.

Why it matters for Ausar Thompson

Thompson's impact was evident, with him tied for a game-high plus-26 and two steals during his eight third-quarter minutes. Pistons assistant coach Jarrett Jack described Thompson's defensive impact, likening it to a cornerback in football who excels in both zone and man-to-man coverage.

What comes next?

The Pistons will need Thompson to replicate this level of tenacity in Game 3 to take back control of the series. Thompson is as important to Detroit's success this postseason as any Pistons player, including two-time All-Star Cade Cunningham. And with his fast-twitch muscles and physical attributes, Thompson's instincts and athleticism propel the Pistons to go on game-changing runs. Thompson's defensive back-like motor will be crucial throughout the series. He had his fingerprints all over Detroit's surge, providing a second body on double-teams of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Thompson picked Jalen Suggs' pocket on the Pistons' half-court logo, resulting in a back-scratching dunk.