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1985–86 Detroit Pistons season
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
NBA team season
March 2026
August 2023
Detroit Pistons 1986 46 36 Central 3 5 Chuck Daly Jack McCloskey Bill Davidson Pontiac Silverdome First round(lost to Hawks 1–3) DET WKBD-TV
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The 1985–86 Detroit Pistons season was the Detroit Pistons' 38th season in the NBA and 29th season in Detroit.https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1984.html 1983–84 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference.com The team played at the Pontiac Silverdome in suburban Pontiac, Michigan.
The year got off to an excellent start as the Pistons drafted future Hall of Famer Joe Dumars with the 18th pick in the first-round of the 1985 NBA draft. The team's steady rise in recent years stalled
during the 1985–86 season as the Pistons finished 46–36 (.561), 3rd in the Central Division. The team advanced to the playoffs but were beaten 3–1 by Dominique Wilkins and the rising Atlanta Hawks. When the series ended, Piston guard and team leader Isiah Thomas said, “All I know is something has to change next year.”https://pistonpowered.com/2011/11/28/chevette-to-corvette-no-19-the-1985-86-detroit-pistons/ Chevette to Corvette No. 19: The 1985–86 Detroit Pistons November 28, 2011
The Pistons were led by guard Thomas (20.9 ppg, 10.8 apg, NBA All-Star), center Bill Laimbeer (16.6 ppg, 13.1 rpg), and guard Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson (13.9 ppg). Dumars (9.4 ppg) was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. Before the 1986-87 Detroit Pistons season began, driven by Thomas, the Pistons would trade away several key players, including forward Kelly Tripucka, center Kent Benson and guard John Long.https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1987_transactions.html 1986–87 Detroit Pistons Transactions Basketball-Reference.com
Draft picks
1985 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 18 Joe Dumars G McNeese State
Roster
Detroit Pistons #002FA7 #FFFFFF #eb003c #FFFFFF
54 Kent Benson C 6 10 235 Indiana
00 Tony Campbell SF 6 7 215 Ohio State
42 Ron Crevier C 7 0 235 Boston College
23 Earl Cureton F 6 9 245 Detroit
4 Joe Dumars SG 6 3 190 McNeese State
35 Mike Gibson basketball PF 6 10 205 USC Upstate
15 Vinnie Johnson SG 6 2 200 Baylor
40 Bill Laimbeer C 6 11 245 Notre Dame
25 John Long basketball, born 1956 SG 6 5 195 Detroit
44 Rick Mahorn PF 6 10 245 Hampton
42 Chuck Nevitt C 7 5 217 North Carolina State
33 Walker Russell PG 6 5 195 Western Michigan
11 Isiah Thomas basketball PG 6 1 180 Indiana
7 Kelly Tripucka SF 6 6 220 Notre Dame
USA Chuck Daly (Bloomsburg) https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1986.html
Regular season
Season standings
DET
DET
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Game log
Regular season
Detroit Pistons 1986 #0000FF #FF0000 Total: 46–36 (home: 31–10; road: 15–26)
Detroit Pistons October yes #FF0000 #0000FF 2 0 0 2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| October 25, 1985
| Milwaukee
| W 118–116
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| October 26, 1985
| @ Chicago
| L 118–121
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 1–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| October 29, 1985
| New Jersey
| W 124–107
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 2–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 4
| October 30, 1985
| @ Philadelphia
| L 125–132 (OT)
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 2–2
Detroit Pistons November #FF0000 #0000FF 7 1 3 4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 5
| November 1, 1985
| Indiana
| W 124–116
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 3–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 6
| November 2, 1985
| @ Indiana
| W 128–117
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 4–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 7
| November 6, 1985
| Chicago
| W 122–105
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 5–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 8
| November 8, 1985
| @ Washington
| W 117–110
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 6–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 9
| November 9, 1985
| Boston
| L 105–124
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 6–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 10
| November 12, 1985
| Washington
| W 124–122 (OT)
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 7–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 11
| November 13, 1985
| @ Milwaukee
| L 118–137
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 7–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 12
| November 15, 19857:30p.m. EST
| @ Atlanta
| L 118–122
| Thomas (26)
| Laimbeer (14)
| Thomas (14)
| The Omni12,924
| 7–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 13
| November 20, 1985
| New York
| W 109–98
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 8–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 14
| November 22, 1985
| Golden State
| W 115–96
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 9–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 15
| November 23, 1985
| @ Philadelphia
| W 119–114
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 10–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 16
| November 26, 1985
| Cleveland
| W 113–98
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 11–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 17
| November 27, 1985
| @ Boston
| L 124–132
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 11–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 18
| November 29, 1985
| Milwaukee
| W 111–102
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 12–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 19
| November 30, 1985
| @ Washington
| L 119–133
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 12–7
Detroit Pistons December #FF0000 #0000FF 1 5 2 5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 20
| December 3, 1985
| Philadelphia
| L 107–127
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 12–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 21
| December 5, 1985
| New Jersey
| W 113–111
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 13–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 22
| December 7, 1985
| Sacramento
| L 112–122
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 13–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 23
| December 10, 1985
| @ Cleveland
| W 130–120
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 14–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 24
| December 11, 1985
| Washington
| L 100–108
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 14–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 25
| December 13, 1985
| San Antonio
| L 113–119
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 14–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 26
| December 15, 1985
| @ L.A. Lakers
| L 119–132
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 14–12
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 27
| December 17, 1985
| @ Sacramento
| L 121–132
|
|
|
| ARCO Arena
| 14–13
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 28
| December 19, 1985
| @ Seattle
| W 99–97
|
|
|
| Seattle Center Coliseum
| 15–13
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 29
| December 21, 1985
| @ New York
| L 110–112
|
|
|
| Madison Square Garden
| 15–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 30
| December 26, 1985
| @ New Jersey
| L 116–124
|
|
|
| Brendan Byrne Arena
| 15–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 31
| December 27, 1985
| Cleveland
| L 105–119
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 15–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 32
| December 30, 1985
| @ Milwaukee
| L 110–121
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 15–17
Detroit Pistons January #FF0000 #0000FF 5 2 3 5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 33
| January 2, 1986
| @ Chicago
| L 122–131
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 15–18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 34
| January 3, 19867:30p.m. EST
| @ Atlanta
| L 101–111
| Tripucka (26)
| Laimbeer (17)
| Thomas (5)
| The Omni15,817
| 15–19
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 35
| January 7, 1986
| Boston
| W 113–109
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 16–19
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 36
| January 9, 19867:30p.m. EST
| Atlanta
| L 99–110
| Dumars (21)
| Laimbeer (14)
| Thomas (9)
| Pontiac Silverdome9,400
| 16–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 37
| January 11, 1986
| Philadelphia
| L 101–102
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 16–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 38
| January 15, 1986
| Chicago
| W 123–115
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 17–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 39
| January 17, 1986
| Denver
| W 129–113
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 18–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 40
| January 19, 1986
| L.A. Lakers
| W 118–115
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 19–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 41
| January 20, 1986
| @ Indiana
| L 99–105
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 19–22
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 42
| January 22, 1986
| @ Cleveland
| W 107–104
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 20–22
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 43
| January 24, 1986
| @ Dallas
| W 129–120
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 21–22
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 44
| January 25, 1986
| @ Houston
| L 112–117
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 21–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 45
| January 27, 1986
| @ San Antonio
| W 118–117
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 22–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 46
| January 29, 19867:30p.m. EST
| Atlanta
| W 107–94
| Johnson (24)
| Laimbeer (10)
| Thomas (13)
| Pontiac Silverdome12,386
| 23–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 47
| January 31, 19867:30p.m. EST
| @ Atlanta
| L 103–116
| Dumars (22)
| Laimbeer (16)
| Thomas (9)
| The Omni12,624
| 23–24
Detroit Pistons February #FF0000 #0000FF 10 0 3 1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 48
| February 1, 1986
| Washington
| W 116–101
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 24–24
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 49
| February 4, 1986
| @ Chicago
| W 117–115
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 25–24
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 50
| February 6, 1986
| @ Washington
| W 111–109 (OT)
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 26–24
|- align="center"
|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
|- style="background:#cfc;"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 51
| February 11, 1986
| @ New Jersey
| L 122–130
|
|
|
| Brendan Byrne Arena
| 26–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 52
| February 12, 1986
| New York
| W 113–99
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 27–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 53
| February 14, 1986
| Dallas
| W 119–110
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 28–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 54
| February 15, 1986
| Philadelphia
| W 134–133 (OT)
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 29–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 55
| February 17, 1986
| Utah
| W 117–96
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 30–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 56
| February 19, 1986
| Seattle
| W 118–113
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 31–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 57
| February 20, 1986
| @ Cleveland
| W 109–107
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 32–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 58
| February 22, 1986
| Portland
| W 113–106
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 33–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 59
| February 24, 1986
| Chicago
| W 110–100
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 34–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 60
| February 26, 1986
| L.A. Clippers
| W 111–104
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 35–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 61
| February 28, 19867:30p.m. EST
| Atlanta
| W 115–103
| Thomas (30)
| Laimbeer (11)
| Dumars, Thomas (6)
| Pontiac Silverdome25,888
| 36–25
Detroit Pistons March #FF0000 #0000FF 4 1 2 7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 62
| March 2, 1986
| @ Boston
| L 109–129
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 36–26
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 63
| March 4, 1986
| New Jersey
| W 120–103
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 37–26
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 64
| March 7, 1986
| @ New Jersey
| W 104–102
|
|
|
| Brendan Byrne Arena
| 38–26
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 65
| March 10, 1986
| Phoenix
| L 109–120
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 38–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 66
| March 12, 1986
| Indiana
| W 111–101
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 39–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 67
| March 14, 1986
| New York
| W 112–89
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 40–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 68
| March 16, 1986
| @ Portland
| L 109–119
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 40–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 69
| March 17, 1986
| @ Utah
| L 106–107
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 40–29
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 70
| March 19, 1986
| @ Denver
| L 98–114
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 40–30
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 71
| March 21, 1986
| @ Phoenix
| L 103–105
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 40–31
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 72
| March 22, 1986
| @ L.A. Clippers
| W 119–99
|
|
|
| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
| 41–31
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 73
| March 25, 1986
| @ Golden State
| L 121–125
|
|
|
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 41–32
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 74
| March 28, 1986
| Houston
| W 116–107
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 42–32
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 75
| March 29, 1986
| @ Milwaukee
| L 121–130
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 42–33
Detroit Pistons April #FF0000 #0000FF 2 1 2 2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 76
| April 1, 1986
| Indiana
| W 116–108
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 43–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 77
| April 2, 1986
| @ Boston
| L 106–122
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 43–34
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 78
| April 4, 1986
| Milwaukee
| L 108–115
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 43–35
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 79
| April 5, 1986
| @ Indiana
| W 115–106
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 44–35
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 80
| April 7, 1986
| Cleveland
| W 128–104
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 45–35
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 81
| April 8, 1986
| @ Philadelphia
| L 112–116
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 45–36
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 82
| April 11, 1986
| @ New York
| W 108–95
|
|
|
| Madison Square Garden
| 46–36
DET 1986
Playoffs
Detroit Pistons 1986 yes #0000FF #FF0000
Detroit Pistons First Round no yes yes #FF0000 #0000FF 1 1 0 2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1
| April 17, 19868:00p.m. EST
| @ Atlanta
| L 122–140
| Laimbeer (26)
| Laimbeer (17)
| Thomas (16)
| The Omni12,538
| 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| April 19, 19863:30p.m. EST
| @ Atlanta
| L 125–137
| Thomas (36)
| Laimbeer (12)
| Thomas (9)
| The Omni12,964
| 0–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| April 22, 19868:00p.m. EST
| Atlanta
| W 106–97
| Tripucka (33)
| Laimbeer (14)
| Thomas (11)
| Pontiac Silverdome13,312
| 1–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 4
| April 25, 19868:00p.m. EST
| Atlanta
| L 113–114 (2OT)
| Thomas (30)
| Laimbeer (13)
| Thomas (12)
| Pontiac Silverdome15,288
| 1–3
|-
DET 1986 yes
Awards and records
Isiah Thomas, All-NBA First Team
Joe Dumars, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team
References
See also
1985-86 NBA season
Category:Detroit Pistons seasons
Det
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons