Pistons’ Ausar Thompson ejected after close contact with official while arguing foul call

Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson was ejected against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday after picking up two technical fouls in quick succession following a sequence midway through the second quarter.

With 5 minutes, 9 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Thompson walked over to official John Goble after a foul call to argue his case and appeared to make contact with him. Thompson tried explaining to Goble that he had his hand on the ball, but Goble saw Thompson’s arm wrapped around Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard, which was grounds for the initial foul call.

Thompson continued arguing with Goble after his initial technical foul, which led to his second technical and ejection.

This happened very fast… Ausar Thompson gets ejected after getting called for a technical foul for “contact with an official.” pic.twitter.com/LbD0LaJuye

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) December 19, 2025

The NBA rulebook states that players can receive technical fouls for several “unsportsmanlike tactics,” a list that includes “physically contacting an official.” It also allows officials to levy technicals for any conduct they deem “detrimental to the game.”

The generally stoic Thompson finished with 8 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in nine minutes of action. Detroit guard Cade Cunningham and coach J.B. Bickerstaff were also assessed technical fouls in a contentious first half between the Pistons and the officiating crew.

This story will be updated.