1989–90 Detroit Pistons season

NBA team season March 2026 August 2023 Detroit Pistons yes yes yes 1990 59 23 Central 1 1 Chuck Daly Jack McCloskey William Davidson The Palace of Auburn Hills WKBD-TVPASS Sports WWJ NBA champions(Defeated Trail Blazers 4–1) DET The 1989–90 Detroit Pistons season was the 42nd season for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association, and their 33rd season in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/ August 6, 2026 The Pistons entered the regular season as the defending NBA champions, after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals, winning their first ever NBA championship. Season summary Regular season As the defending champions, the Pistons got off to a 13–10 start to the regular season, but then won ten of their next eleven games, and later on held a 35–14 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1990 November 23, 2022 The team posted a 13-game winning streak between January and February, Hafner Dan NBA Roundup: Pistons Don't Let Up on Magic, 140-109 Los Angeles Times February 22, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-22-sp-1769-story.html?_amp=true January 19, 2022 and then posted a 12-game winning streak between February and March. DiGiovanni Joe Pistons 117, Bucks 96 United Press International March 20, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/03/20/Pistons-117-Bucks-96/4150637909200/ January 19, 2022 Aldridge David Pistons Frightening Everybody Los Angeles Times March 25, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-25-sp-437-story.html November 23, 2022 The Pistons finished in first place in the Central Division with a 59–23 record, and earned the first seed in the Eastern Conference; 1989–90 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1990_games.html December 9, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. Isiah Thomas averaged 18.4 points, 9.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Joe Dumars averaged 17.8 points and 4.9 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and James Edwards provided the team with 14.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. In addition, Mark Aguirre contributed 14.1 points per game, while Bill Laimbeer provided with 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, and Vinnie Johnson contributed 9.8 points and 3.1 assists per game. Meanwhile, Dennis Rodman averaged 8.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Associated Press Dennis Rodman NBA Defensive Player of Year Los Angeles Times May 7, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-07-sp-318-story.html November 23, 2022 Brown Clifton Rodman Is the Key to Piston Defense The New York Times May 8, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/08/sports/rodman-is-the-key-to-piston-defense.html December 15, 2021 NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/dpoy.html December 31, 2022 and John Salley provided with 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. 1989–90 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1990.html December 14, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Thomas, Dumars and Rodman were all selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while head coach Chuck Daly was selected to coach the Eastern Conference; it was the first ever All-Star appearance for both Dumars and Rodman. Howard-Cooper Scott NBA All-Star Game: Entire Family Is Back Together...Almost Los Angeles Times February 11, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-11-sp-1107-story.html November 23, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1990 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1990 November 15, 2023 1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1990.html December 9, 2021 Dumars and Rodman were also both named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team; Thomas and Dumars both finished tied in 13th place in Most Valuable Player voting, 1989–90 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.html December 7, 2025 while Dumars also finished tied in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and Daly finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. Riley Edges Adelman, Lynam as Sporting News' Top NBA Coach  Deseret News  May 27, 1990  https://www.deseret.com/1990/5/27/18863829/riley-edges-adelman-lynam-as-sporting-news-top-nba-coach/ December 8, 2025 The Pistons finished third in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 879,705 at The Palace of Auburn Hills during the regular season. 1989–90 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html February 23, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, the Pistons faced off against the 8th–seeded Indiana Pacers, a team that featured All-Star guard Reggie Miller, Chuck Person, and sixth man Detlef Schrempf. The Pistons won the first two games over the Pacers at home at The Palace of Auburn Hills, before winning Game 3 on the road, 108–96 at the Market Square Arena to win the series in a three-game sweep. Slater Jim Pistons 108, Pacers 96 United Press International May 1, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/01/Pistons-108-Pacers-96/5849641534400/ December 31, 2022 Associated Press Pistons Sweep the Pacers to Start Defense of Title The New York Times May 2, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/02/sports/pistons-sweep-the-pacers-to-start-defense-of-title.html December 7, 2021 1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-pacers-vs-pistons.html April 9, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 5th–seeded New York Knicks, a team that featured All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Maurice Cheeks. The Pistons took a 2–0 series lead before losing Game 3 to the Knicks on the road, 111–103 at Madison Square Garden. 1990 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks Box Score, May 12, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199005120NYK.html June 27, 2026 The Pistons managed to win the next two games, which included a Game 5 win over the Knicks at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 95–84 to win the series in five games. Goldaper Sam Pistons' Defense Leaves Knicks Out in Cold The New York Times May 16, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/16/sports/pistons-defense-leaves-knicks-out-in-cold.html December 7, 2021 Associated Press Detroit Eliminates New York, 95-84: Eastern Conference: Mark Aguirre Comes Off the Bench to Score 25 Points. Pistons Make Their Fourth Consecutive Trip to the Conference Finals Los Angeles Times May 16, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-16-sp-194-story.html December 31, 2022 1990 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-knicks-vs-pistons.html April 9, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Finals, and for the third consecutive year, the Pistons faced off against the 3rd–seeded Chicago Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. The Pistons won the first two games over the Bulls at The Palace of Auburn Hills, before losing the next two games on the road at the Chicago Stadium, as the Bulls evened the series. After winning Game 5 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 97–83, the Pistons lost Game 6 to the Bulls at the Chicago Stadium, 109–91. Goldaper Sam  Bulls Add to Streak and Even the Series  The New York Times  June 2, 1990  https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/02/sports/bulls-add-to-streak-and-even-the-series.html June 27, 2026 Mooshil Joe  Bulls Force Deciding Game  The Victoria Advocate  June 2, 1990  B  https://books.google.com/books?id=UEdSAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=1990+Chicago+Bulls+Detroit+Pistons+109-91&article_id=6599,271710&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB5JLa1aeVAxWamWoFHXHyLwAQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=1990%20Chicago%20Bulls%20Detroit%20Pistons%20109-91&f=false June 27, 2026 1990 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 6: Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls Box Score, June 1, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199006010CHI.html June 27, 2026 With the series tied at 3–3, the Pistons won Game 7 over the Bulls at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 93–74 to win in a hard-fought seven-game series, and advance to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year. Goldaper Sam Piston Defense Reigns Supreme The New York Times June 4, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/04/sports/piston-defense-reigns-supreme.html December 7, 2021 Howard-Cooper Scott Pistons: Job Still to Be Done: Pro Basketball: Detroit Finishes Chicago, 93-74, But the Celebration Is Muted, Because NBA Final Series with Portland Is Ahead Los Angeles Times June 4, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-04-sp-403-story.html November 23, 2022 1990 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Bulls vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-eastern-conference-finals-bulls-vs-pistons.html April 9, 2023 In the 1990 NBA Finals, the Pistons faced off against the 3rd–seeded Portland Trail Blazers, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, and All-Star center Kevin Duckworth. The Pistons won Game 1 over the Trail Blazers at home, 105–99 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Brown Clifton Portland Tries to Swallow a Bitter Loss The New York Times June 6, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/06/sports/portland-tries-to-swallow-a-bitter-loss.html November 23, 2022 McManis Sam Daly Simply Puts Trust in Thomas as Pistons Rally: NBA Finals: Detroit Guard Scores 14 of His 33 Points During a 19-4 Piston Run That Beats Portland, 105-99 Los Angeles Times June 6, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-06-sp-582-story.html November 23, 2022 1990 NBA Finals Game 1: Portland Trail Blazers at Detroit Pistons Box Score, June 5, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199006050DET.html June 27, 2026 but then lost Game 2 at home in overtime, 106–105 as the Trail Blazers evened the series. Brown Clifton Basketball: Drexler Is Confident as Blazers Go Home The New York Times June 8, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/08/sports/basketball-drexler-is-confident-as-blazers-go-home.html January 19, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Trail Blazers Get Even for Game 1 Collapse, 106-105: NBA Finals: Drexler's Free Throws Finally Defuse Laimbeer's Bombs in Overtime. The Next Three Games Are in Portland Los Angeles Times June 8, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-08-sp-722-story.html November 23, 2022 1990 NBA Finals Game 2: Portland Trail Blazers at Detroit Pistons Box Score, June 7, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199006070DET.html June 27, 2026 The Pistons managed to win the next three games on the road, including a Game 5 win over the Trail Blazers at the Memorial Coliseum, 92–90 to win the series in five games, and win their second consecutive NBA championship, as Thomas was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Brown Clifton Pistons Rally to Repeat as N.B.A. Champions The New York Times June 15, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/15/sports/pistons-rally-to-repeat-as-nba-champions.html October 10, 2017 McManis Sam Vinnie, Vidi, Vici: Pistons Repeat Feat: NBA Finals: Johnson Hits Game-Winner in Last Second as Detroit Rallies from Seven-Point Deficit for a 92-90 Victory. Thomas Is the Unanimous Choice as MVP Los Angeles Times June 15, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-15-sp-343-story.html March 9, 2022 1990 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-finals-trail-blazers-vs-pistons.html April 9, 2023 Aftermath The Pistons would not reach the NBA Finals again until 2004, in which they won the Finals in five games against their heavily favored rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers to win their third NBA championship. Pro Basketball: Teamwork Thumps Star Power The New York Times June 16, 2004 https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/16/sports/pro-basketball-teamwork-thumps-star-power.html December 15, 2021 Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Roster Detroit Pistons 1989–90 #00008B #FFFFFF #DC143C #FFFFFF 23 Mark Aguirre G/F 6 6 232 1959–12–10 DePaul 00 William Bedford basketball C 7 0 225 1963–12–14 Memphis 4 Joe Dumars G 6 3 190 1963–05–24 McNeese State 53 James Edwards basketball C 7 1 225 1955–11–22 Washington 33 Dave Greenwood F 6 9 222 1957–05–27 UCLA 35 Scott Hastings basketball F 6 10 235 1960–06–03 Arkansas 12 Gerald Henderson G 6 2 175 1956–01–16 Virginia Commonwealth 15 Vinnie Johnson G 6 2 200 1956–09–01 Baylor 40 Bill Laimbeer F/C 6 11 245 1957–05–19 Notre Dame 10 Dennis Rodman F 6 8 210 1961–05–13 Southeastern Oklahoma State 22 John Salley F/C 6 11 230 1964–05–16 Georgia Tech 11 Isiah Thomas G 6 1 180 1961–04–30 Indiana Chuck Daly Brendan Malone Brendan Suhr Mike Abdenour (trainer) Regular season Season standings DET DET 1989-90 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com Game log Detroit Pistons 1990 Total: 59–23 (Home: 35–6; Road: 24–17) Detroit Pistons November yes 5 1 4 4 Detroit Pistons December 5 1 4 5 Detroit Pistons January 8 1 4 2 Detroit Pistons February 6 0 4 1 Detroit Pistons March 6 0 5 4 Detroit Pistons April 4 3 3 1 DET 1990 Playoffs Detroit Pistons 1990 yes Detroit Pistons First Round yes yes no 2 0 1 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 26 | Indiana | W 104–92 | James Edwards (21) | Bill Laimbeer (14) | Thomas, Dumars (5) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 28 | Indiana | W 100–87 | Bill Laimbeer (22) | Bill Laimbeer (11) | Isiah Thomas (12) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 1 | @ Indiana | W 108–96 | Isiah Thomas (23) | Bill Laimbeer (19) | Isiah Thomas (9) | Market Square Arena15,301 | 3–0 |- Detroit Pistons Conference Semifinals yes no 3 0 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 8 | New York | W 112–77 | Isiah Thomas (21) | Bill Laimbeer (13) | Isiah Thomas (7) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | May 10 | New York | W 104–97 | James Edwards (32) | Bill Laimbeer (13) | Isiah Thomas (12) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 12 | @ New York | L 103–111 | Isiah Thomas (20) | Dennis Rodman (8) | Isiah Thomas (6) | Madison Square Garden18,212 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 13 | @ New York | W 102–90 | James Edwards (19) | Dennis Rodman (14) | Isiah Thomas (11) | Madison Square Garden18,212 | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 15 | New York | W 95–84 | Mark Aguirre (25) | Dennis Rodman (11) | Isiah Thomas (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 4–1 |- Detroit Pistons Conference Finals yes no 4 0 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 20 | Chicago | W 86–77 | Joe Dumars (27) | Dennis Rodman (13) | Isiah Thomas (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | May 22 | Chicago | W 102–93 | Joe Dumars (31) | Laimbeer, Johnson (8) | Thomas, Johnson (7) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 26 | @ Chicago | L 102–107 | Isiah Thomas (36) | Bill Laimbeer (8) | Isiah Thomas (8) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 28 | @ Chicago | L 101–108 | Isiah Thomas (26) | Dennis Rodman (20) | Isiah Thomas (8) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 30 | Chicago | W 97–83 | Joe Dumars (20) | John Salley (10) | Isiah Thomas (10) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | June 1 | @ Chicago | L 91–109 | Joe Dumars (23) | Rodman, Laimbeer (8) | Isiah Thomas (10) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | June 3 | Chicago | W 93–74 | Isiah Thomas (21) | Mark Aguirre (10) | Isiah Thomas (11) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 4–3 |- Detroit Pistons NBA Finals yes no 1 1 3 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | June 5 | Portland | W 105–99 | Isiah Thomas (33) | Bill Laimbeer (15) | Isiah Thomas (6) | The Palace at Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | June 7 | Portland | L 105–106 (OT) | Edwards, Laimbeer (26) | Bill Laimbeer (11) | Isiah Thomas (11) | The Palace at Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | June 10 | @ Portland | W 121–106 | Joe Dumars (33) | Bill Laimbeer (12) | Isiah Thomas (8) | Memorial Coliseum12,884 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | June 12 | @ Portland | W 112–109 | Isiah Thomas (32) | Bill Laimbeer (12) | Isiah Thomas (5) | Memorial Coliseum12,642 | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | June 14 | @ Portland | W 92–90 | Isiah Thomas (29) | Bill Laimbeer (17) | Joe Dumars (7) | Memorial Coliseum12,642 | 4–1 |- DET 1990 yes Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Aguirre, Mark Mark Aguirre 78 40 25.7 .488 .333 .756 3.9 1.9 .44 .24 14.1 Bedford, William William Bedford 42 0 5.9 .432 .167 .409 1.4 .1 .07 .40 2.8 Dumars, Joe Joe Dumars 75 71 34.4 .480 .400 .900 2.8 4.9 .84 .03 17.8 Edwards, James James Edwards 82 70 27.8 .498 .000 .749 4.2 .8 .28 .45 14.5 Greenwood, Dave Dave Greenwood 37 0 5.5 .423 .000 .552 2.1 .3 .11 .24 1.6 Hastings, Scott Scott Hastings 40 0 4.2 .303 .250 .864 .8 .2 .08 .08 1.0 Henderson, Gerald Gerald Henderson 46 0 7.3 .506 .452 .769 .7 1.3 .17 .04 2.3 Johnson, Vinnie Vinnie Johnson 82 12 24.0 .431 .147 .668 3.1 3.1 .87 .16 9.8 Kimbrough, Stan Stan Kimbrough 10 0 5.0 .438 .000 1.000 .7 .5 .40 .00 1.6 Laimbeer, Bill Bill Laimbeer 81 81 33.0 .484 .361 .854 9.6 2.1 .70 1.04 12.1 Lewis, Ralph Ralph Lewis 4 0 1.5 .000 .000 .000 .0 .0 .00 .00 .0 Rodman, Dennis Dennis Rodman 82 43 29.0 .581 .111 .654 9.7 .9 .63 .73 8.8 Salley, John John Salley 82 12 23.3 .512 .250 .713 5.4 .8 .62 1.87 7.2 Thomas, Isiah Isiah Thomas 81 81 37.0 .438 .309 .775 3.8 9.4 1.72 .23 18.4 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Aguirre, Mark Mark Aguirre 20 3 22.0 .467 .333 .750 4.6 1.4 .50 .15 11.0 Bedford, William William Bedford 5 0 3.8 .167 .000 1.000 .4 .0 .00 .20 .8 Dumars, Joe Joe Dumars 20 20 37.7 .458 .263 .876 2.2 4.8 1.10 .00 18.2 Edwards, James James Edwards 20 20 26.8 .494 .000 .604 3.6 .6 .25 .55 14.3 Greenwood, Dave Dave Greenwood 5 0 9.4 .500 .000 .250 1.8 .0 .40 .00 1.0 Hastings, Scott Scott Hastings 5 0 3.2 .250 .000 .000 .0 .0 .20 .00 .4 Henderson, Gerald Gerald Henderson 8 0 2.4 .200 .000 .000 .4 .5 .25 .00 .2 Johnson, Vinnie Vinnie Johnson 20 0 23.2 .462 .286 .791 2.8 2.7 .40 .20 10.3 Laimbeer, Bill Bill Laimbeer 20 20 33.4 .457 .349 .862 10.6 1.4 1.15 .90 11.1 Rodman, Dennis Dennis Rodman 19 17 29.5 .568 .000 .514 8.5 .9 .47 .68 6.6 Salley, John John Salley 20 0 27.4 .475 .000 .755 5.8 1.0 .45 1.65 9.5 Thomas, Isiah Isiah Thomas 20 20 37.9 .463 .471 .794 5.4 8.2 2.15 .35 20.4 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Isiah Thomas, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award Dennis Rodman, NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Joe Dumars, All-NBA Third Team Joe Dumars, NBA All-Defensive First Team Dennis Rodman, NBA All-Defensive First Team Transactions Free agents SubtractionsPlayerDate signedNew teamRick MahornExpansion Draft June 15, 1989Minnesota Timberwolves References External links Detroit Pistons on Database Basketball Detroit Pistons on Basketball Reference Det Category:Detroit Pistons seasons Category:Eastern Conference (NBA) championship seasons Category:NBA championship seasons Category:1989 in sports in Michigan Detroit