1989 NBA Finals

1989 basketball championship series June 2026 saanvi July 2026 1989NBAFinals.png NBA 1989 Los Angeles Lakers Pat Riley 0 Detroit Pistons Chuck Daly 4 June 6–13 Joe Dumars(Detroit Pistons) Lakers:Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1995)Michael Cooper (2024)Magic Johnson (2002)James Worthy (2003)Pistons:Joe Dumars (2006)Dennis Rodman (2011)Isiah Thomas (2000)Coaches:Chuck Daly (1994)Pat Riley (2008)Officials:Hugh Evans (2022)Darell Garretson (2016)Earl Strom (1995) Pistons defeated Bulls, 4–2 Lakers defeated Suns, 4–0 The 1989 NBA Finals were the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1988–89 season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The series was a rematch of the previous year's championship round between the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons and the two-time defending NBA champion and Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers.1989 NBA Finals Summary https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-finals-pistons-vs-lakers.html November 11, 2025 Basketball Reference This Finals series joined the 1983 NBA Finals as the only two championship series of the 1980s not won by either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Boston Celtics. Every finals series of the decade featured at least one of these two franchises, with the teams facing each other in 1984, 1985, and 1987. The Detroit Pistons' four-game victory marked the second time the Lakers were swept in the finals series during the decade, following their 4–0 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983. During the season, the Lakers won the Western Conference, with Magic Johnson earning his second MVP award. The team swept its first three playoff series against Pacific Division rivals Portland, Seattle, and Phoenix, which resulted in a rematch with the Detroit Pistons in the Finals. The Pistons dominated the Eastern Conference, winning 63 regular season games. After sweeping the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Chicago Bulls in six games, earning a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. In the previous season, the Lakers had defeated them in a tough seven-game series. The Pistons won the series in a four-game sweep of the injury-riddled Lakers, capturing the first championship in franchise history and becoming the last of the NBA's "Original Eight" charter teams to win a championship.https://www.si.com/nba/how-many-nba-teams-are-there-a-brief-history-of-expansion-and-how-we-got-to-30 This merger brought the larger markets of the BAA together with the smaller markets of the NBL. The league debuted with 17 teams but quickly shrank to eight by 1955. Those eight teams were the Celtics, Knicks, Warriors, Lakers, Pistons, Nationals (now the 76ers), Hawks and Royals (now the Kings). How Many NBA Teams Are There? A Brief History of Expansion and How We Got to 30 Sports Illustrated Cunningham Nate July 16, 2025 March 5, 2026 It marked the first time that a team (the Lakers) had swept the first three rounds of the playoffs, only to be defeated in the Finals. As of , the 1989 Pistons remain the most recent Eastern Conference team to sweep an NBA Finals series. The Pistons clinched all four playoff series on the road, a feat later matched by the 1999 San Antonio Spurs, the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, and the 2026 New York Knicks. The Detroit Pistons' physical style of play and aggressive defensive schemes earned them the nickname "The Bad Boys". Although the name was originally popularized by NBA Entertainment in a 1987–88 season summary video, the team, led by Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, had embraced the title as a marketing brand and unifying identity. The "Bad Boys" image became a central part of the franchise's marketing during the 1988–89 championship run and remained an unofficial slogan during their repeat title season in 1990.Holmes Dan April 27, 2016 How the Detroit Pistons came to be known as the Bad Boys https://www.vintagedetroit.com/how-the-detroit-pistons-came-to-be-known-as-the-bad-boys/ May 11, 2026 Vintage Detroit Collection en-US Following the series, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement from the NBA at age 42 at the end of his 20th season.https://100.ucla.edu/timeline/kareem-abdul-jabbar-retires-from-basketball Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Retires from Basketball UCLA 100 Pistons guard Joe Dumars was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/dumars-joe#:~:text=Dumars%20was%20named%20Most%20Valuable,won%20a%20second%20straight%20championship. Dumars, Joe Detroit Historical Society Background Lakers-Pistons rivalry Detroit Pistons 1988–89 Detroit Pistons season Before the season began, the Pistons moved from the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, to the brand-new Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.Haddad Ken November 21, 2016 https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2016/11/21/5-places-the-detroit-pistons-called-home/#:~:text=The%20Pistons%20moved%20to%20their,championships%20in%201989%20and%201990. 5 places the Detroit Pistons called home ClickOnDetroit September 14, 2024 The new arena was envisioned by Pistons owner William Davidson. It featured luxury boxes and club seating, which increased revenue compared with older arenas. The Pistons sold out all 41 games at The Palace.Johnson Greg February 5, 2009 Pistons' sellout streak at The Palace ends at 259 https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2009/02/pistons_sellout_streak_at_the.html May 11, 2026 mlive en The team itself also improved, highlighted by a mid-season trade that sent Adrian Dantley to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Mark Aguirre.Baker Chris February 16, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-16-sp-3735-story.html Pistons Acquire Aguirre in Trade for Dantley, Pick Los Angeles Times September 14, 2024 With Aguirre taking over the starting small forward position, the Pistons went on a tear, winning 31 of their final 37 games to finish with a league-best 63–19 record. Their second-half momentum carried over into the playoffs, sweeping both the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks in the first two rounds. However, they lost two of the first three games to their archrival Chicago Bulls in the Conference Finals, but after devising the Jordan Rules scheme to contain Michael Jordan, the Pistons won the final three games to earn another Finals berth.Addy Steve https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=olTtIbuygwsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR6&dq=Detroit+Pistons&ots=dw-ZUKbRvu&sig=D2vbzwwSVK0DGLiO7vxqtxG_JqE The Detroit Pistons: Four Decades of Motor City Memories 1997 Sports Publishing LLC 978-1-57167-144-8 en Los Angeles Lakers 1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season Prior to the season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced that the 1988–89 season was to be his last. Therefore, his 'retirement tour' consisted of pregame tributes in every arena to pay homage to the retiring Lakers captain.Travers Steven https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=1x23EQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Los+Angeles+Lakers&ots=X7TyhXU6iG&sig=u0UxSJP73Rb85SwKLw8RjdC7a6c The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly: Los Angeles Lakers: Heart-Pounding, Jaw-Dropping, and Gut-Wrenching Moments from Los Angeles Lakers History May 1, 2013 Triumph Books 978-1-62368-577-5 en Seeking to become the first team since the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s to win three consecutive championships, the Lakers managed to put up a conference-best 57–25 record. The team's core remained mostly intact, save for veteran forward Kurt Rambis, who signed with the expansion Charlotte Hornets as a free agent. Their most notable addition was former Chicago Bulls forward Orlando Woolridge.Edes Gordon August 10, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-10-sp-290-story.html Lakers to Announce Signing Today of Free Agent Orlando Woolridge Los Angeles Times September 15, 2024 The Lakers became the first team to win their first 11 playoff games, as they swept the Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics and Phoenix Suns in each of the first three rounds. Magic Johnson won the MVP award that year.Travers Steven https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=1x23EQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Los+Angeles+Lakers&ots=X7TyhXU6iG&sig=u0UxSJP73Rb85SwKLw8RjdC7a6c The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly: Los Angeles Lakers: Heart-Pounding, Jaw-Dropping, and Gut-Wrenching Moments from Los Angeles Lakers History May 1, 2013 Triumph Books 978-1-62368-577-5 en Road to the Finals 1989 NBA playoffs Los Angeles Lakers (Western Conference champion) Detroit Pistons (Eastern Conference champion)LAL1st seed in the West, 2nd best league recordRegular seasonDET1st seed in the East, best league recordDefeated the (8) Portland Trail Blazers, 3–0First roundDefeated the (8) Boston Celtics, 3–0Defeated the (4) Seattle SuperSonics, 4–0Conference semi-finalsDefeated the (5) Milwaukee Bucks, 4–0Defeated the (3) Phoenix Suns, 4–0Conference finalsDefeated the (6) Chicago Bulls, 4–2 Regular season series The Detroit Pistons won both games in the regular season series:Addy Steve https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=olTtIbuygwsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR6&dq=Detroit+Pistons+Regular+season+series&ots=dw-ZUKbSwr&sig=sByNTlgmfkfLtk6IIeks4UZaS8M The Detroit Pistons: Four Decades of Motor City Memories 1997 Sports Publishing LLC 978-1-57167-144-8 en #fff November 26, 1988 Los Angeles Lakers 99 Detroit Pistons |score2=102 The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan February 14, 1989 Detroit Pistons |score1=111 Los Angeles Lakers 103 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California Series summary Game Date Road team Result Home team Game 1 June 6 Los Angeles Lakers 97–109 (0–1) Detroit Pistons Game 2 June 8 Los Angeles Lakers 105–108 (0–2) Detroit Pistons Game 3 June 11 Detroit Pistons 114–110 (3–0) Los Angeles Lakers Game 4 June 13 Detroit Pistons 105–97 (4–0) Los Angeles Lakers Game summaries May 2026 May 2026 y Game 1 #eee June 6 9:00 pm EDT The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan CBS, ABC, CTV, GMA Los Angeles Lakers 97 Detroit Pistons |score2=109 22–28 26–27 18–24 31–30 Johnson, Worthy 17 each Isiah Thomas 24 A.C. Green 8 Aguirre, Rodman 10 each Magic Johnson 14 Isiah Thomas 9 21,454 No. 11 Jake O'Donnell No. 20 Jess Kersey No. 14 Jack Madden Detroit leads series, 1–0 Before Game 1, Lakers guard Byron Scott suffered a severe hamstring injury in practice and did not play in the series.McManis Sam June 7, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-07-sp-1797-story.html NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : Notes : Injury May Sideline Scott for Entire Series Los Angeles Times September 14, 2024 For the Pistons, Thomas finished with 24 points, Dumars 22, and Johnson 19. With six minutes left, Detroit led 97–79, and the final score was 109–97.1989 NBA Finals Game 1: Lakers vs Pistons, June 6, 1989 https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198906060DET.html May 19, 2026 Basketball-Reference.com en Game 2 #eee June 8 9:00 pm EDT The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan CBS, ABC, CTV, GMA Los Angeles Lakers 105 Detroit Pistons |score2=108 32–26 30–30 30–28 13–24 Cooper, Worthy 19 each Joe Dumars 33 A.C. Green 9 Mark Aguirre 6 Magic Johnson 9 Isiah Thomas 7 21,454 No. 10 Darell Garretson No. 42 Hue Hollins No. 17 Joe Crawford Detroit leads series, 2–0 Joe Dumars had a strong first half with 24 points (finishing with 33). Los Angeles held a 62–56 lead at halftime.1989 NBA Finals Game 2: Lakers vs Pistons, June 8, 1989 https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198906080DET.html May 30, 2026 Basketball-Reference.com enhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1FdR2o5wR8 1989 NBA FINALS GAME 2 LAL @ DET August 28, 2024 Stanley Hudson May 30, 2026 YouTube With about four minutes left in the third period, John Salley blocked a Mychal Thompson shot, starting a Detroit fast break during which Magic Johnson pulled his hamstring. Magic was visibly hurt and frustrated, and had to be coaxed into leaving the floor. Dick Stockton, commentating for CBS, said, "I've never seen him (Magic) look like that", referring to the injury. The final score was 108–105, and the Pistons took a 2–0 series lead. Game 3 #eee June 11 3:30 pm EDT Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California CBS, ABC, CTV, GMA Detroit Pistons |score1=114 Los Angeles Lakers 110 27–22 30–33 29–33 28–22 Joe Dumars 31 James Worthy 26 Dennis Rodman 19 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 13 Isiah Thomas 8 Michael Cooper 13 17,505 No. 4 Ed T. Rush No. 13 Mike Mathis No. 25 Hugh Evans Detroit leads the series, 3–0 Magic Johnson missed most of Game 3 due to injury, exiting after five minutes with the Lakers leading, 11–8. James Worthy scored 26 points, and the 42-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a strong game with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Michael Cooper had 13 assists and 15 points. Dennis Rodman, despite having back spasms, had 19 rebounds. Joe Dumars scored 31 points, scoring 17 consecutive points in the third quarter. Vinnie Johnson scored 17, 13 of which came in the fourth. Isiah Thomas had 26 points and eight assists. Game 4 #eee June 13 9:00 pm EDT Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California CBS, ABC, CTV, GMA Detroit Pistons |score1=105 Los Angeles Lakers 97 23–35 26–20 27–23 29–19 Joe Dumars 23 James Worthy 40 Johnson, Laimbeer 6 each A.C. Green 12 Dumars, Johnson, Thomas 5 each Michael Cooper 9 17,505 No. 20 Jess Kersey No. 14 Jack Madden No. 12 Earl Strom Detroit wins the series, 4–0 James Worthy scored 40 points on 17-of-26 field-goal shooting. As a Pistons win would mark Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's final game, Kareem received several ovations during pregame warmups and introductions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qclICdI5PZA 1989 NBA Finals Game 4 – Pistons @ Lakers September 5, 2025 NBA finals!! May 30, 2026 YouTube The Lakers led 35–23 at the end of the first quarter and led 55–49 at halftime. The Lakers led 78–76 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Pistons won 105–97.Game 4 Box Score: Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Lakers https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198906130LAL.html November 11, 2025 Basketball Reference Dumars was named Finals MVP after averaging 27.3 points per game during the series.Joe Dumars named 1989 NBA Finals MVP https://www.nba.com/history/awards-finals-mvp November 11, 2025 NBA.com The Pistons won the series 4–0, capturing their first NBA championship.Isaacs Stan June 14, 1989 Pistons sweep Lakers for first NBA title Newsday This was the first NBA Finals that ended in a four-game sweep since the Finals went to the 2–3–2 format in 1985. Team rosters Detroit Pistons Detroit Pistons 1988–89 23 Mark Aguirre SF 6 6 232 1959–12–10 DePaul 34 Fennis Dembo SF 6 5 215 1966–01–24 Wyoming 4 Joe Dumars SG 6 3 190 1963–05–24 McNeese State 53 James Edwards basketball C 7 0 225 1955–11–22 Washington 15 Vinnie Johnson PG 6 2 200 1956–09–01 Baylor 40 Bill Laimbeer C 6 11 245 1957–05–19 Notre Dame 25 John Long basketball, born 1956 SG/SF 6 5 195 1956–08–28 Detroit Mercy 44 Rick Mahorn F/C 6 10 240 1958–09–21 Hampton 10 Dennis Rodman SF 6 8 210 1961–05–13 Southeastern Oklahoma State 22 John Salley PF 6 11 230 1964–05–16 Georgia Tech 11 Isiah Thomas PG 6 1 180 1961–04–30 Indiana 24 Micheal Williams PG 6 2 175 1966–07–23 Baylor Chuck Daly Brendan Malone Brendan Suhr Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers 1988–89 33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar C 7 2 225 1947–04–16 UCLA 19 Tony Campbell SF/SG 6 7 215 1962–05–17 Ohio State 21 Michael Cooper SF/SG 6 5 170 1956–04–15 New Mexico 45 A.C. Green PF 6 9 220 1963–10–04 Oregon State 32 Magic Johnson PG 6 9 215 1959–08–14 Michigan State 3 Jeff Lamp SF/SG 6 6 195 1959–03–09 Virginia 31 Mark McNamara C 6 11 235 1959–06–08 Santa Clara 14 David Rivers PG 6 0 170 1965–01–20 Notre Dame 4 Byron Scott basketball SG 6 3 195 1961–03–28 Arizona State 43 Mychal Thompson C 6 10 226 1955–01–30 Minnesota 0 Orlando Woolridge SF 6 9 215 1959–12–16 Notre Dame 42 James Worthy SF 6 9 225 1961–02–27 North Carolina Pat Riley Bill Bertka Randy Pfund Player statistics Detroit Pistons Detroit Pistons |- | align="left" | Mark Aguirre || 4 || 4 || 26.8 || .364 || .000 || .750 || 6.0 || 1.5 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 7.5 |- | align="left" | Fennis Dembo || 1 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 |-! style="background:#FDE910;" | align="left" | Joe Dumars || 4 || 4 || 36.8 || .576 || .000 || .868 || 1.8 || 6.0 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 27.3 |- | align="left" | James Edwards basketball || 4 || 0 || 24.3 || .444 || 0.0 || .750 || 3.5 || 0.8 || 0.0 || 0.8 || 9.0 |- | align="left" | Vinnie Johnson || 4 || 0 || 23.8 || .600 || .200 || .636 || 3.3 || 2.8 || 0.0 || 0.3 || 17.0 |- | align="left" | Bill Laimbeer || 4 || 4 || 23.5 || .545 || .667 || .857 || 5.3 || 2.3 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 8.0 |- | align="left" | John Long basketball, born 1956 || 1 || 0 || 2.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.0 |- | align="left" | Rick Mahorn || 4 || 4 || 24.5 || .556 || .000 || .667 || 5.3 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 0.8 || 6.0 |- | align="left" | Dennis Rodman || 4 || 0 || 23.5 || .467 || .000 || .857 || 10.0 || 1.3 || 0.5 || 0.3 || 5.0 |- | align="left" | John Salley || 4 || 0 || 20.3 || .684 || .000 || .571 || 2.5 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 2.8 || 7.5 |- | align="left" | Isiah Thomas || 4 || 4 || 35.3 || .485 || .333 || .760 || 2.5 || 7.3 || 1.5 || 0.3 || 21.3 |- | align="left" | Micheal Williams || 1 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers |- | align="left" | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar || 4 || 4 || 26.0 || .435 || .000 || .833 || 5.0 || 1.8 || 0.5 || 0.8 || 12.5 |- | align="left" | Tony Campbell || 4 || 1 || 20.8 || .625 || .333 || .765 || 2.5 || 1.0 || 0.8 || 0.0 || 11.0 |- | align="left" | Michael Cooper || 4 || 4 || 40.8 || .378 || .333 || .833 || 1.5 || 6.8 || 1.8 || 0.5 || 12.0 |- | align="left" | A.C. Green || 4 || 4 || 33.5 || .440 || .000 || .684 || 9.3 || 0.5 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 8.8 |- | align="left" | Magic Johnson || 3 || 3 || 25.0 || .462 || .200 || .909 || 3.7 || 8.0 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 11.7 |- | align="left" | Jeff Lamp || 4 || 0 || 2.8 || .667 || .000 || .500 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.3 |- | align="left" | Mark McNamara || 2 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 |- | align="left" | David Rivers || 3 || 0 || 8.7 || .333 || .000 || .800 || 1.0 || 1.7 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 4.0 |- | align="left" | Mychal Thompson || 4 || 0 || 25.8 || .433 || .000 || .636 || 4.8 || 0.8 || 0.3 || 0.5 || 10.0 |- | align="left" | Orlando Woolridge || 4 || 0 || 21.8 || .611 || .000 || .842 || 5.3 || 1.5 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 9.5 |- | align="left" | James Worthy || 4 || 4 || 42.5 || .481 || .667 || .710 || 4.3 || 3.5 || 0.5 || 1.5 || 25.5 Television coverage This series was aired on CBS. Dick Stockton and Hubie Brown called the action. Stockton also narrated the season-ending documentary "Motor City Madness" for NBA Entertainment.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtwGnryTleI Detroit Pistons 1988/89 Documentary Motor City Madness 1st Bad Boys 'Chip April 7, 2022 SQUADawkins May 30, 2026 YouTube That year, Pat O'Brien filled in for Brent Musburger for Game 2 as pre-game, half-time and post-game host as Musburger was on assignment for CBS Sports, the same thing that happened in 1988. CBS used three sideline reporters which were O'Brien (the Pistons' sideline), Lesley Visser (the Lakers' sideline) and James Brown (both teams). This was Musburger's last NBA Finals assignment for CBS, as he was fired on April 1, 1990, months before NBA's television contract with CBS expired. Musburger moved to ABC and ESPN, and later called nine NBA Finals series for ESPN Radio between 1996 and 2004. For the start of 1989 NBA Finals CBS completely revamped their opening montage for their NBA broadcasts. The computer-generated imagery (once again set in and around a virtual arena) was made to look more realistic (live-action footage was incorporated in the backdrops). Also, the familiar theme music (an uptempo series of four notes and three bars composed by Allyson Bellink since the 1983 NBA Finals) each was rearrangedhttp://bloguin.com/crossoverchronicles/2015-articles/nba-finals-music-division-nbc-is-great-but-cbs-is-better.html NBA Finals, Music Division: NBC is great, but CBS is better Zemek Matt June 1, 2015 Crossover Chronicles February 25, 2021 July 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716192541/http://bloguin.com/crossoverchronicles/2015-articles/nba-finals-music-division-nbc-is-great-but-cbs-is-better.html dead to sound more intricate and to have a more emotional impact, along the lines of the network's later World Series coverage. Between the 1989 NBA Finals and the 1990 NBA Finals' intros, the theme music was slightly revised; the 1989 Finals intro incorporated more of a guitar riff, while the 1990 Finals intro featured a little more usage of trumpets. International Country Network Argentina ATC Australia ABC Brazil Band, Canal+ Canada CTV, TSN Europe Screensport, Sky Channel France Canal+ Hong Kong ATV (World • Home) Japan Nippon Television Latin America ESPN Philippines GMA Network, FEN Philippines Spain TV3 United Kingdom BBC, Sky Channel Aftermath The Pistons would repeat as champions in the next year, knocking off the Clyde Drexler-led Portland Trail Blazers in five games.Detroit Pistons Back-to-Back Champions (1989–1990) https://www.nba.com/pistons/history/championships November 11, 2025 NBA.com The Pistons team who repeated the following season was virtually the same, minus Rick Mahorn, who was left unprotected and therefore selected in the 1989 expansion draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pistons were conducting their victory celebration in Detroit while the draft was happening and Mahorn was taken aside during the festivities, so he could be told. Pistons general manager Jack McCloskey tried to reacquire Mahorn to no avail, and years later Mahorn was shown to still be bothered by what transpired as the story of the expansion draft brought him to tears during the 2014 ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary about the team.Youngmisuk Ohm March 21, 2019 Bad Boys for life https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26317520/bad-boys-life December 20, 2025 ESPN.com en This was Pat Riley’s last Finals appearance as the Lakers’ head coach. The next season, he resigned and became, after a brief stint as a broadcaster with NBC, the head coach of the New York Knicks from 1992 to 1995.Buford Landon August 31, 2022 https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/pat-riley-explains-his-decision-for-leaving-the-los-angeles-lakers Pat Riley Explains His Decision For Leaving The Los Angeles Lakers SI.com September 14, 2024https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/06/15/Riley-resigns-as-Knicks-coach/8354803188800/ Riley resigns as Knicks' coach UPI.com June 15, 1995 September 14, 2024https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/09/03/riley-joining-heat-as-coach-president/ Riley joining Heat as coach, president Tampa Bay Times September 3, 1995 September 14, 2024 The Lakers did make it back to the finals in 1991 in spite of Riley's absence, but fell to Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls in five games. A decade later, Dennis Rodman and John Salley would play for the Lakers. Salley won a championship during the last year of his career with the Lakers in 2000.John Salley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sallejo01.html May 30, 2026 Basketball-Reference.com en The Pistons and Lakers met again in the 2004 NBA Finals. In the rematch, the Pistons, led by Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince, and coached by Larry Brown, beat the Lakers team of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton, and coached by Phil Jackson, in five games.2004 NBA Finals – Pistons vs. Lakers https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2004-nba-finals-pistons-vs-lakers.html May 30, 2026 Basketball-Reference.com en This was the first NBA Finals to feature special on-court decals made for the event. These were placed within the center court of each participating team's home arenas. The NBA continued to place these decals until 2014.Molski • • Max June 5, 2024 Why did the NBA stop using trophy decals during the Finals? https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/nba-finals-trophy-decals-history/617264/ May 30, 2026 NBC Sports Boston en-USread Max Molski·4 min June 5, 2024 Why did the NBA stop using trophy decals during the Finals? https://sports.yahoo.com/why-did-nba-stop-using-175931229.html May 30, 2026 Yahoo Sports en-US References 2 External links NBA History 1989 NBA Finals at Basketball Reference Category:NBA Finals Finals NBA Finals NBA Finals Category:GMA Network television specials Category:1980s in Los Angeles County, California NBA Finals NBA Finals Category:Basketball competitions in Michigan Category:Basketball competitions in Inglewood, California Category:Sports in Auburn Hills, Michigan NBA