Cleveland — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Keon Ellis made a steal from Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren and quickly pushed forward. For a moment, it looked like Ellis would have an easy opportunity to score in transition, as he already had passed Tobias Harris and Daniss Jenkins, the only defenders who were in distance.
Trailing behind everyone, Ausar Thompson used his speed and athleticism to catch up to Ellis. In a surprising turn of events, Thompson managed to complete a chase-down block, successfully denying Ellis’ layup attempt.
Everyone inside Little Caesars Arena celebrated the defensive stop in disbelief. However, outside of the sellout crowd, only one person’s perspective mattered to Thompson — his twin brother, Amen Thompson. Amen stood up in excitement after his brother’s play and shook his head.
The moment took place during the Pistons’ 111-101 Game 1 victory over the Cavaliers on May 5. Amen since has attended a number of games in the Eastern Conference semifinals series to support Ausar. In addition to having his brother, Ausar also had father Troy Thompson Sr. in attendance.
“It’s been super cool that he has been coming out to show support, that’s my guy,” Ausar said. “He has been giving me advice about things he is seeing. I truly appreciate him.”
Amen has been supportive of his brother following the Houston Rockets’ first-round playoff elimination by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets lost the series in six games after trailing 3-0. Individually, Amen had an impressive performance, averaging 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks throughout the six-game series.
In addition to helping the Pistons mount their 3-1 comeback or studying during his downtime, Ausar also spent time watching Amen compete in the postseason, but from afar. Before their Game 6 elimination on May 2, Ausar told The Detroit News he hoped the Rockets would be the first team in league history to overcome a 3-0 playoff deficit.
Although Amen and the Rockets fell short, their elimination gave Ausar additional help with the ongoing adjustments players must make to maintain their production in the postseason.
“He is always telling me to stay aggressive and that teams are guarding me similarly to the way they are guarding him, and the things he has learned in those aspects,” Ausar said. “He really gets on me about defense and fouling, which I know I have to be better at.”
Amen’s presence further reflects the family-oriented culture the Pistons have developed during their resurgence over the last two seasons. It has become one of the team’s core values, as several players and staff members have had the opportunity to experience the highs and lows of the NBA season with their family members by their side.
One example is coach J.B. Bickerstaff — whose father, Bernie Bickerstaff, currently serves as a senior basketball adviser with the Pistons.
“It’s special. Obviously, like my situation with my dad, it means the world to me and provides a lot of support. And I’m sure they’re the same way,” Bickerstaff said. “(I know) the conversations they have behind the scenes, how they help one another, support one another, but it’s just so uncommon.”
Bickerstaff continued, “When you look at the world as a whole, and how many people you know, twins in particular or father and sons that get to do this job, it just isn’t common. So, it makes it that much more special.”
The Thompson twins have a brotherly rivalry and will spend their entire careers trying to one-up each other, both on the team and individual level.
For the 2025-26 season, Ausar received bragging rights after the Pistons not only advanced further in the playoffs but also won more regular-season games than Amen. Detroit finished atop the Eastern Conference with 60 wins. The Rockets — despite being hindered by injuries — ended the season with 52 victories, ranking fifth in the Western Conference.
Throughout their careers, the Thompson twins will continue to compete for bragging rights, but despite the rivalry, they promise their love and support will always prevail, no matter what happens on the basketball court.
“The only time we have a real rivalry is when we play against each other, and then I’m whooping him,” Ausar Thompson said. “But, other than that, I’m cheering for him, and he is cheering for me.”
NBA Playoffs, second round: No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 4 Cavaliers
Cavaliers lead series 3-2
Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101
Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97
Game 3: Cavaliers 116, Pistons 109
Game 4: Cavaliers 112, Pistons 103
Game 5: Cavaliers 117, Pistons 113
Game 6: at Cleveland, Friday, 7 p.m. (Amazon Prime)
x-Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, TBD (TBD)
x-If necessary
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons’ Ausar Thompson appreciates brother Amen’s support in playoffs
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
