1990–91 Detroit Pistons season

March 2026 August 2023 Detroit Pistons 1991 50 32 Central 2nd 3rd Chuck Daly Jack McCloskey William Davidson The Palace of Auburn Hills WKBDPASS Sports WWJ Eastern Conference finals(lost to Bulls 0–4) The 1990–91 Detroit Pistons season was the 43rd season for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association, and their 34th 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 both the 3-time defending Eastern Conference champions, and the 2-time defending NBA champions, after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the 1990 NBA Finals, and looked to win a third consecutive title. Season summary Regular season The Pistons posted a nine-game winning streak in November as the team finished the first month of the regular season with a 13–2 record. Pistons 96, 76ers 94 United Press International December 1, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/12/01/Pistons-96-76ers-94/1972660027600/ January 17, 2022 However, the team lost six of their next seven games in December, but posted an 11-game winning streak between December and January, and later on held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=7&year=1991 November 21, 2022 Despite a five-game losing streak between February and March, the Pistons finished in second place in the Central Division with a 50–32 record, eleven games behind the Chicago Bulls, and earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference. 1990–91 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1991_games.html October 16, 2021 The team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. Joe Dumars averaged 20.4 points and 5.5 assists per game, while Isiah Thomas averaged 16.2 points, 9.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game, but only played just 48 games due to a wrist injury, Sports People: Pro Basketball: Isiah Thomas to Undergo Surgery The New York Times January 26, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/26/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-isiah-thomas-to-undergo-surgery.html July 26, 2017 Associated Press Pistons' Thomas Out for at Least 12 Weeks Los Angeles Times January 26, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-26-sp-500-story.html September 5, 2022 Surgeon Says Thomas Likely Done for Season The Washington Post January 30, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/01/30/surgeon-says-thomas-likely-done-for-season/7df5902b-c278-4d20-8e87-b14229bc5f56/ November 22, 2022 and sixth man Mark Aguirre provided the team with 14.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game off the bench. In addition, James Edwards contributed 13.6 points per game, while Vinnie Johnson contributed 11.7 points and 3.3 assists per game off the bench, and Bill Laimbeer provided with 11.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Dennis Rodman averaged 8.2 points, led the team with 12.5 rebounds per game, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, Klonke Chuck Rodman Named Top Defensive Player United Press International May 13, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/05/13/Rodman-named-top-defensive-player/2510674107200/ November 22, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Rodman Is Named Defensive Player of Year The New York Times May 14, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/14/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-rodman-is-named-defensive-player-of-year.html November 22, 2022 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 averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game also off the bench. 1990–91 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1991.html October 16, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thomas and Dumars were both selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, although Thomas did not participate due to his wrist injury. Barnard Bill The Show of Shows for Magic: NBA: For Laker Guard, Making His 10th Appearance, Each and Every All-Star Game Is a Special Occasion Los Angeles Times February 10, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-10-sp-1467-story.html July 10, 2025 NBA.com Staff 1991 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1991 July 10, 2025 1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1991.html December 2, 2021 Dumars was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Rodman was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Thomas finished in 13th place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Dumars finished in 15th place; 1990–91 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1991.html December 7, 2025 Dumars also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and head coach Chuck Daly finished in seventh place in Coach of the Year voting. The Pistons finished second in the NBA in home-game attendance behind the Charlotte Hornets, with an attendance of 879,614 at The Palace of Auburn Hills during the regular season. 1990–91 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1991.html February 23, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Pistons faced off against the 6th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, a team that featured All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins, Doc Rivers and Kevin Willis. The Pistons lost Game 1 to the Hawks at home, 103–98 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Klonke Chuck Hawks 103, Pistons 98 United Press International April 26, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/04/26/Hawks-103-Pistons-98/2337672638400/ November 22, 2022 Hawks Stun Defending Champions, 103-98 Deseret News April 27, 1991 https://www.deseret.com/1991/4/27/18917381/hawks-stun-defending-champions-103-98 August 27, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons Box Score, April 26, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199104260DET.html June 23, 2026 but managed to win the next two games to take a 2–1 series lead, before losing Game 4 to the Hawks on the road, 123–111 at the Omni Coliseum. Associated Press  Hawks Win, Even Series  The Argus-Press  May 3, 1991  11  https://books.google.com/books?id=gkEiAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=1991+Atlanta+Hawks+Detroit+Pistons+123-111&article_id=1834,227839&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi0uO2T0Z2VAxUGlokEHdW5K0QQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=1991%20Atlanta%20Hawks%20Detroit%20Pistons%20123-111&f=false June 23, 2026 Associated Press  Hawks Throttle Pistons; Sonics Tie Up Blazers  Record-Journal  May 3, 1991  34  https://books.google.com/books?id=KjFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA18&dq=1991+Atlanta+Hawks+Detroit+Pistons+123-111&article_id=1547,448684&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi0uO2T0Z2VAxUGlokEHdW5K0QQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=1991%20Atlanta%20Hawks%20Detroit%20Pistons%20123-111&f=false June 23, 2026 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 4: Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, May 2, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199105020ATL.html June 23, 2026 With the series tied at 2–2, the Pistons won Game 5 over the Hawks at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 113–81 to win in a hard-fought five-game series. Lapointe Joe Basketball: Pistons in Overdrive Against Hawks The New York Times May 6, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/06/sports/basketball-pistons-in-overdrive-against-hawks.html October 16, 2021 Aldridge David Thomas, Pistons Clip Hawks The Washington Post May 6, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/05/06/thomas-pistons-clip-hawks/4eb5b4f2-195a-4c09-befa-37f8aecf5ba1/ August 27, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hawks vs. Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hawks-vs-pistons.html April 10, 2023 In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion Boston Celtics, who were led by the quartet of All-Star forward Larry Bird, Reggie Lewis, All-Star forward and sixth man Kevin McHale, and All-Star center Robert Parish. The Celtics took a 2–1 series lead, as the Pistons lost Game 3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills by a blowout loss, 115–83; the Pistons struggled only shooting .333 in field-goal percentage in Game 3. Klonke Chuck Celtics 115, Pistons 83 United Press International May 11, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/05/11/Celtics-115-Pistons-83/2952673934400/ August 27, 2022 Associated Press NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semifinals: Only Time Stops Celtics in 115-83 Beating of Pistons Los Angeles Times May 12, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-12-sp-2605-story.html November 22, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons Box Score, May 11, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199105110DET.html June 23, 2026 However, the Pistons managed to win the next three games, including a Game 6 win over the Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills in overtime, 117–113 to win the series in six games. Brown Clifton Basketball: Quest for Third Title Alive as Pistons Eliminate Celtics The New York Times May 18, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/18/sports/basketball-quest-for-third-title-alive-as-pistons-eliminate-celtics.html October 16, 2021 Cotton Anthony Pistons Eliminate Celtics in Overtime The Washington Post May 18, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/05/18/pistons-eliminate-celtics-in-overtime/b8d78d5a-5f77-43b8-9067-841b2c7431f3/ December 31, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-pistons-vs-celtics.html April 10, 2023 In their fifth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearance, and for the fourth consecutive year, the Pistons faced off against the top–seeded, and Central Division champion Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. The Pistons lost the first two games to the Bulls on the road at the Chicago Stadium, and then lost their next two home games, including a Game 4 loss to the Bulls at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 115–94, thus losing the series in a four-game sweep. The Pistons were unable to reach the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive year. Brown Clifton Basketball: Bulls Brush Aside Pistons for Eastern Title The New York Times May 28, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/28/sports/basketball-bulls-brush-aside-pistons-for-eastern-title.html October 16, 2021 Wilbon Michael Bulls Handle All Pistons' Shots, Sweep Them The Washington Post May 28, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/05/28/bulls-handle-all-pistons-shots-sweep-them/3c1e4cf0-5ad8-47f7-b2c0-435ec1e7e80f/ August 27, 2022 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Pistons vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-eastern-conference-finals-pistons-vs-bulls.html April 10, 2023 The Bulls would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, and defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the 1991 NBA Finals, winning their first ever NBA championship. Brown Clifton Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A. The New York Times June 13, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/13/sports/jordan-crowns-career-and-bulls-reign-in-nba.html December 31, 2022 Heisler Mark NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls: Bulls' Decree: Jordan Rules: Game 5: Chicago Wins First Championship by Sweeping at Forum, 108-101, But Depleted Lakers Go Down Fighting Los Angeles Times June 13, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-13-sp-738-story.html September 22, 2022 1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-finals-lakers-vs-bulls.html April 10, 2023 Notable incidents Towards the end of the loss to the Bulls in Game 4 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, most of the Pistons' players walked off the court towards the locker room without congratulating their opponents, or shaking hands. It was seen as a sign of disrespect by the outgoing champions, and was concocted by Laimbeer in response to comments made by Jordan, about the Pistons' physical playing style being bad for basketball, calling them "undeserving champions", and that he felt the league would be happy to see the Pistons lose. Berkow Ira Sports of the Times: The Pistons Were a Disgrace The New York Times May 29, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/29/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-pistons-were-a-disgrace.html October 16, 2021 Wilbon Michael Analysis: Detroit's Bad Boys Are Still in Class by Themselves...None Los Angeles Times May 29, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-29-sp-2363-story.html March 10, 2022Wilbon Michael In the End, Bad Boys Nothing But Crybabies The Washington Post May 29, 1991 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/05/29/in-the-end-bad-boys-nothing-but-crybabies/38e9fecb-7157-4adb-b701-8cfbeec0cec0/ June 30, 2025 Aftermath Following the season, Edwards was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, Sports People: Pro Basketball: 2 Big Trades for Pistons The New York Times August 14, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/14/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-2-big-trades-for-pistons.html December 2, 2021 Klein Gary Clippers Get Edwards...or a Big Headache: NBA: They Trade Reserve Guard Martin and a Draft Pick to Get 7-Foot-1 Piston Center, But He Is on His Way to Italy Los Angeles Times August 14, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-14-sp-486-story.html January 28, 2023 Johnson signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs, Spurs Sign Vinnie Johnson United Press International December 12, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/12/12/Spurs-sign-Vinnie-Johnson/5388692514000/ December 2, 2021 and reserve center Scott Hastings was traded to the Denver Nuggets. Draft picks 1990 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 26 Lance Blanks PG/SG Texas Roster Detroit Pistons 1990–91 23 Mark Aguirre G/F 6 6 232 1959–12–10 DePaul 00 William Bedford basketball C 7 0 225 1963–12–14 Memphis 32 Lance Blanks G 6 4 190 1966–09–09 Texas 4 Joe Dumars G 6 3 190 1963–05–24 McNeese State 53 James Edwards basketball C 7 0 225 1955–11–22 Washington 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 7 210 1961–05–13 Southeastern Oklahoma State 30 Tree Rollins C 7 1 235 1955–06–16 Clemson 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 Regular season Season standings DET DET z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Playoffs Detroit Pistons 1991 yes Detroit Pistons First Round yes yes no 2 1 1 1 |- | 1 | April 26 | Atlanta | L 98–103 | Joe Dumars (20) | Laimbeer, Rodman (11) | Isiah Thomas (14) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 0–1 |- | 2 | April 28 | Atlanta | W 101–88 | Joe Dumars (28) | Dennis Rodman (10) | Isiah Thomas (8) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–1 |- | 3 | April 30 | @ Atlanta | W 103–91 | Joe Dumars (30) | Dennis Rodman (13) | Isiah Thomas (13) | Omni Coliseum13,571 | 2–1 |- | 4 | May 2 | @ Atlanta | L 111–123 | Vinnie Johnson (26) | Dennis Rodman (12) | Isiah Thomas (12) | Omni Coliseum9,854 | 2–2 |- | 5 | May 5 | Atlanta | W 113–81 | Isiah Thomas (26) | Dennis Rodman (20) | Isiah Thomas (11) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 3–2 |- Detroit Pistons Conference semifinals yes no 2 1 2 1 |- | 1 | May 7 | @ Boston | W 86–75 | James Edwards (18) | Dennis Rodman (16) | Isiah Thomas (13) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–0 |- | 2 | May 9 | @ Boston | L 103–109 | Joe Dumars (29) | Bill Laimbeer (15) | Joe Dumars (6) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–1 |- | 3 | May 11 | Boston | L 83–115 | James Edwards (13) | Laimbeer, Rodman (12) | Vinnie Johnson (5) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–2 |- | 4 | May 13 | Boston | W 104–97 | Mark Aguirre (34) | Dennis Rodman (18) | Joe Dumars (8) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–2 |- | 5 | May 15 | @ Boston | W 116–111 | Joe Dumars (32) | Dennis Rodman (10) | Joe Dumars (8) | Boston Garden14,890 | 3–2 |- | 6 | May 17 | Boston | W 117–113 (OT) | Joe Dumars (32) | Bill Laimbeer (14) | Joe Dumars (10) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 4–2 |- Detroit Pistons Conference finals yes no 0 2 0 2 |- | 1 | May 19 | @ Chicago | L 83–94 | Mark Aguirre (25) | Dennis Rodman (9) | Isiah Thomas (8) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–1 |- | 2 | May 21 | @ Chicago | L 97–105 | Vinnie Johnson (29) | Dennis Rodman (11) | Dumars, Thomas (5) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–2 |- | 3 | May 25 | Chicago | L 107–113 | Isiah Thomas (29) | four players tied (7) | Isiah Thomas (6) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 0–3 |- | 4 | May 27 | Chicago | L 94–115 | Isiah Thomas (16) | Thomas, Johnson (7) | Isiah Thomas (5) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 0–4 |- DET 1991 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Joe Dumars 80 80 38.1 .481 .311 .890 2.3 5.5 1.1 0.120.4 Isiah Thomas 48 46 34.5 .435 .292 .782 3.3 9.3 1.6 0.216.2 Mark Aguirre 78 13 25.7 .462 .308 .757 4.8 1.8 0.6 0.314.2 James Edwards 72 70 26.4 .484 .500 .729 3.8 0.9 0.2 0.413.6 Vinnie Johnson 82 28 29.1 .434 .324 .646 3.4 3.3 0.9 0.211.7 Bill Laimbeer 82 81 32.5 .478 .296 .837 9.0 1.9 0.5 0.711.0 Dennis Rodman 82 77 33.5 .493 .200 .631 12.5 1.0 0.8 0.78.2 John Salley 74 1 22.3 .475 .000 .727 4.4 0.9 0.7 1.57.4 Gerald Henderson 23 10 17.0 .427 .333 .762 1.6 2.7 0.5 0.15.3 William Bedford 60 4 9.4 .438 .385 .705 2.2 0.5 0.0 0.64.5 John Long 25 0 10.2 .412 .333 .960 1.3 0.7 0.4 0.13.8 Scott Hastings 27 0 4.2 .571 .750 1.000 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.01.8 Lance Blanks 38 0 5.6 .426 .125 .714 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.11.7 Tree Rollins 37 0 5.5 .424 .571 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.51.0 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Joe Dumars 15 15 39.2 .429 .405 .845 3.3 4.1 1.1 0.120.6 Mark Aguirre 15 2 26.5 .506 .364 .824 4.1 1.9 0.8 0.115.6 Vinnie Johnson 15 3 29.2 .464 .154 .710 5.1 2.9 0.7 0.315.2 Isiah Thomas 13 11 33.5 .403 .273 .725 4.2 8.5 1.0 0.213.5 Bill Laimbeer 15 15 29.7 .446 .294 .871 8.1 1.3 0.3 0.810.9 James Edwards 15 11 23.0 .407 .691 2.5 0.6 0.1 0.210.7 John Salley 15 0 20.5 .543 .600 4.1 0.7 0.4 1.37.5 Dennis Rodman 15 14 33.0 .451 .222 .417 11.8 0.9 0.7 0.76.3 William Bedford 8 3 8.1 .208 .000 .643 2.8 0.5 0.3 0.52.4 Gerald Henderson 10 1 4.0 .250 .000 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.00.8 Scott Hastings 10 0 3.5 .500 .500 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.10.8 Tree Rollins 6 0 5.3 1.000 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.20.7 Player Statistics Citation: Awards and records Dennis Rodman, NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Joe Dumars, All-NBA Third Team Joe Dumars, NBA All-Defensive Second Team Dennis Rodman, NBA All-Defensive First Team References See also 1990-91 NBA season Category:Detroit Pistons seasons Detroit Detroit Detroit