The 1988–89 NBA season was the 41st season for the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

in the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

, and their 32nd season in

Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

. Before the start of the regular season, the Pistons moved from the

Pontiac Silverdome The Pontiac Silverdome (also known as the Silverdome) was a stadium in Pontiac, Michigan. It opened in 1975 and sat on 199 acres (51 ha) of land. When the stadium opened, it featured a fiberglass fabric roof held up by air pressure, the fi ...

to the brand-new Palace of Auburn Hills. The team won their first eight games of the regular season, and held a 31–13 record at the All-Star break. However, Adrian Dantley was unhappy with his role on the team, losing playing time to Dennis Rodman at the small forward position. At mid-season, the team traded Dantley to the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

in exchange for All-Star forward Mark Aguirre, a childhood friend of Isiah Thomas; Dantley felt that Thomas had a major role in engineering the trade, so that Aguirre could have the opportunity of winning a championship, an accusation that Thomas denied. With the addition of Aguirre, the Pistons posted a nine-game winning streak in March, won eight consecutive games between March and April, then won their final five games of the season, finishing in first place in the Central Division with a league-best record of 63–19, and earning the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Thomas led the team with 18.2 points, 8.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game in

Houston, Texas Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...

, while Joe Dumars averaged 17.2 points and 5.7 assists per game, and Vinnie Johnson contributed 13.8 points per game off the bench. In addition, Bill Laimbeer provided the team with 13.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Rodman provided with 9.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game off the bench, and Rick Mahorn averaged 7.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Also off the bench, James Edwards contributed 7.3 points per game, and John Salley provided with 7.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Dumars and Rodman were both named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team; Thomas and Dumars both finished tied in seventeenth place in

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

voting, while Rodman finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and also tied in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting, and head coach Chuck Daly finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, the Pistons swept the

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...

in three straight games, then swept the 5th-seeded

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

in four straight games in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they trailed 2–1 to

Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player, who is currently a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Ass ...

and the 6th-seeded

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...

, but managed to win the series in six games to advance to the 1989 NBA Finals, where the Pistons would win their first ever NBA championship, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games, as Dumars was named the

NBA Finals Most Valuable Player The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (formerly known as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 1969 NBA Finals. The award is decided by a panel of eleven medi ...

. This series was a rematch from last year's NBA Finals, with the Pistons avenging their NBA Finals loss. The Pistons clinched every series victory on the road that was later followed by the 1999 San Antonio Spurs and 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers. Following the season, Mahorn was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the newly expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Mahorn never played for the Timberwolves due to a contract dispute, as he was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers soon after. The Pistons and Lakers would face each other again 15 years later in the NBA Finals in

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

, where the Pistons won in five games en route to their third NBA championship, despite being underdogs to the heavily-favored Lakers.

Draft picks

Roster

Regular season

On February 15, 1989, the Pistons traded Adrian Dantley to the

for Mark Aguirre. Dantley was unhappy relegating the leadership role on the Pistons to Isiah Thomas, while Aguirre had clashed with his coaches and teammates in Dallas. Aguirre was more amenable to deferring to Thomas, and accepted his role in Chuck Daly's system. His ability to shoot the three, post up, run the floor, and pass was instrumental in the growth of the team.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Regular season

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 1 ,
8:30p.m. EST , @

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

W 107–94
, Dantley (22) , Mahorn (10) , Thomas (14) , Chicago Stadium
18,420 , 1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 2 ,
7:30p.m. EST , Charlotte
W 94–85
, Dantley (18) , Laimbeer (12) , Dumars,
Thomas (7) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 2–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 3 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

W 116–109
, Dumars (30) , Laimbeer (11) , Dumars,
Thomas (9) , The Spectrum
10,115 , 3–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 4 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

W 101–95
, Thomas (21) , Laimbeer (13) , Thomas (12) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 4–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 5 ,
8:00p.m. EST , @

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

W 116–107
, Dantley (31) , Mahorn (6) , Thomas (10) , Boston Garden
14,890 , 5–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 6 ,
8:30p.m. EST , @

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

W 108–99
, Laimbeer (23) , Laimbeer (21) , Thomas (12) , Reunion Arena
17,007 , 6–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 7 ,
8:30p.m. EST , @

San Antonio San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...

W 94–88
, Dumars (20) , Mahorn (10) , Thomas (8) , HemisFair Arena
11,991 , 7–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 8 ,
9:30p.m. EST , @ Phoenix
W 121–105
, Dumars (31) , Rodman (12) , Thomas (11) , Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471 , 8–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 9 ,
8:30p.m. EST , @

Houston Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...

L 98–109
, Thomas (26) , Rodman (12) , Thomas (6) , The Summit
16,611 , 8–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 10 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @ Charlotte
W 99–93
, Dumars (26) , Mahorn (10) , Thomas (8) , Charlotte Coliseum
23,389 , 9–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 11 ,
7:30p.m. EST , New York
L 111–133
, Dantley (25) , Laimbeer,
Rodman (9) , Thomas (11) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 9–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 12 ,
8:30p.m. EST , L.A. Lakers
W 102–99
, Dumars (20) , Mahorn (11) , Thomas (10) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 10–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 13 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...

L 98–107
, Laimbeer (22) , Laimbeer (10) , Thomas (12) , Market Square Arena
10,275 , 10–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 14 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 114–111
, Thomas (36) , Laimbeer (9) , Thomas (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 11–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 15 ,
8:00p.m. EST , @ Washington
W 120–114
, Dantley (28) , Mahorn (8) , Thomas (10) , Capital Centre
12,606 , 12–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 16 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

W 102–99
, Dantley (21) , Mahorn (12) , Thomas (8) , Brendan Byrne Arena
12,517 , 13–3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 17 ,
8:30p.m. EST , @

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

L 84–109
, Dantley (17) , Laimbeer (6) , Laimbeer (6) , Bradley Center
15,619 , 13–4 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 18 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 102–89
, Dantley (31) , Laimbeer (12) , Thomas (13) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 14–4 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 19 ,
8:00p.m. EST , @

W 92–82
, Dumars (24) , Laimbeer,
Rodman,
Salley (8) , Dumars (6) , The Omni
16,374 , 15–4 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 20 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 106–100
, Thomas (37) , Laimbeer (15) , Laimbeer (7) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 16–4 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 21 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

L 110–119
, Dantley (22) , Laimbeer (12) , Thomas (12) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 16–5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 22 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

L 98–119
, Dumars (16) , Rodman (10) , Williams (7) , Richfield Coliseum
18,718 , 16–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 23 ,
7:30p.m. EST , Charlotte
W 100–91
, Thomas (25) , Mahorn (12) , Thomas (7) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 17–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 24 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

Miami Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

W 116–100
, Johnson (22) , Rodman (9) , Thomas (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 18–6 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 25 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @ New York
L 85–88
, Johnson (19) , Mahorn (14) , Yhomas (7) ,

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...

19,591 , 18–7 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 26 ,
7:30p.m. EST , Phoenix
W 106–100
, Dantley (24) , Rodman (14) , Dumars (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 19–7 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 27 ,
8:00p.m. EST ,

W 95–83
, Dumars (28) , Laimbeer,
Mahorn (13) , Dantley,
Laimbeer,
Thomas (5) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 20–7 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 28 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

L 104–123
, Thomas (28) , Rodman (8) , Thomas (6) , The Omni
16,371 , 20–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 29 ,
8:00p.m. EST ,

W 111–88
, Laimbeer,
Thomas (19) , Laimbeer (10) , Thomas (12) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 21–8 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 30 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

L 99–113
, Thomas (31) , Rodman (12) , Thomas (8) , Market Square Arena
16,105 , 21–9 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 31 ,
7:30p.m. EST , New York
L 93–100
, Laimbeer (21) , Rodman (10) , Thomas (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 21–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 32 ,
8:00p.m. EST , Washington
W 119–103
, Dantley (35) , Laimbeer (14) , Thomas (8) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 22–10 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 33 ,
2:30p.m. EST , @

L 112–120
, Thomas (25) , Laimbeer (10) , Thomas (13) , Bradley Center
18,633 , 22–11 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 34 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 96–87
, Johnson (21) , Laimbeer (12) , Thomas (10) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 23–11 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 35 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 103–90
, Dantley (24) , Rodman (16) , Johnson,
Thomas (6) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 24–11 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 36 ,
8:00p.m. EST ,

W 132–99
, Laimbeer (27) , Laimbeer,
Rodman (11) , Thomas (12) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 25–11 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 37 ,
12Noon EST , @

L 99–112
, Thomas (26) , Salley (11) , Salley,
Thomas (5) , Boston Garden
14,890 , 25–12 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 38 ,
7:30p.m. EST , Golden State
W 105–104
, Thomas (27) , Rodman (16) , Thomas (8) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 26–12 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 39 ,
8:00p.m. EST ,

L 79–80
, Johnson,
Thomas (22) , Rodman (17) , Thomas (5) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 26–13 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 40 ,
7:00p.m. EST ,

Sacramento Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley, Sacramento's 2020 p ...

W 122–97
, Rodman (24) , Rodman (16) , Thomas (15) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 27–13 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 41 ,
8:00p.m. EST , @

W 104–98 (OT)
, Thomas (34) , Rodman (14) , Dantley (8) , Chicago Stadium
18,288 , 28–13 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 42 ,
8:00p.m. EST , @

W 124–106
, Dantley (33) , Laimbeer,
Salley,
Thomas (7) , Thomas (7) , The Spectrum
15,268 , 29–13 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 43 ,
2:00p.m. EST ,

W 113–102
, Johnson (27) , Rodman (13) , Thomas (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 30–13 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 44 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 107–96
, Laimbeer (22) , Rodman (12) , Thomas (14) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 31–13 , - align="center" , colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff", All-Star Break , - style="background:#cfc;" , - bgcolor="#bbffbb" , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 45 ,
10:30p.m. EST , @ L.A. Lakers
W 111–103
, Dumars,
Thomas (23) , Rodman (15) , Thomas (15) ,

Great Western Forum The Kia Forum, also known as Los Angeles Forum and formerly Great Western Forum, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Inglewood, California, United States, adjacent to Los Angeles. Located on West Manchester Boulevard, with Laffit Pincay Jr., P ...

17,505 , 32–13 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 46 ,
10:30p.m. EST , @

W 95–84
, Dumars,
Johnson,
Laimbeer (20) , Rodman (15) , Thomas (14) , ARCO Arena
16,517 , 33–13 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 47 ,
10:00p.m. EST , @ Golden State
L 119–121 (OT)
, Laimbeer,
Rodman (32) , Rodman (21) , Thomas (13) , Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 , 33–14 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 48 ,
4:00p.m. EST , @

Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

L 101–103
, Johnson (21) , Laimbeer (16) , Thomas (10) , McNichols Sports Arena
17,022 , 33–15 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 49 ,
7:30p.m. EST , Portland
W 105–94
, Dumars (19) , Rodman (15) , Thomas (12) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 34–15 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 50 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

W 113–95
, Aguirre (31) , Mahorn (9) , Dumars (10) , Brendan Byrne Arena
20,049 , 35–15 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 51 ,
7:00p.m. EST , L.A. Clippers
W 110–98
, Thomas (21) , Rodman (13) , Thomas (11) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 36–15 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 52 ,
8:00p.m. EST , @

L 99–115
, Aguirre,
Thomas (28) , Rodman (11) , Thomas (13) , Richfield Coliseum
20,246 , 36–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 53 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...

W 96–85
, Johnson (34) , Laimbeer (13) , Dumars (7) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 37–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 54 ,
8:00p.m. EST ,

W 96–90
, Laimbeer (24) , Laimbeer (14) , Thomas (11) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 38–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 55 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

W 109–100
, Johnson,
Thomas (22) , Rodman (10) , Thomas (8) , Miami Arena
15,008 , 39–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 56 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 129–116
, Dumars (25) , Mahorn (19) , Thomas (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 40–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 57 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...

W 112–96
, Thomas (27) , Laimbeer (19) , Thomas (12) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 41–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 58 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

W 111–106
, Thomas (34) , Laimbeer (16) , Thomas (8) , The Spectrum
17,678 , 42–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 59 ,
7:00p.m. EST , Washington
W 110–104
, Laimbeer (24) , Laimbeer (16) , Thomas (8) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 43–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 60 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @

W 129–117
, Dumars (30) , Johnson (7) , Dumars (8) , Market Square Arena
12,031 , 44–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 61 ,
8:00p.m. EST ,

W 106–98
, Johnson (30) , Laimbeer,
Rodman (10) , Dumars (7) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 45–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 62 ,
9:00p.m. EST , @

L 100–117
, Aguirre,
Johnson (14) , Rodman (13) , Dumars (9) , Bradley Center
18,633 , 45–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 63 ,
8:00p.m. EST , @

W 110–95
, Thomas (26) , Laimbeer (12) , Dumars (9) , The Omni
16,371 , 46–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 64 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 115–94
, Laimbeer (21) , Laimbeer (10) , Thomas (10) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 47–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 65 ,
8:00p.m. EST ,

W 112–96
, Dumars (35) , Aguirre (11) , Thomas (11) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 48–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 66 ,
7:30p.m. EST , @ Charlotte
W 113–101
, Dumars (18) , Laimbeer (11) , Thomas (6) , Charlotte Coliseum
23,388 , 49–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 67 ,
7:30p.m. EST ,

W 90–77
, Thomas (30) , Laimbeer,
Rodman (11) , Dumars (6) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 50–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 68 ,
9:30p.m. EST , @

W 108–104
, Thomas (25) , Mahorn (11) , Thomas (8) , Salt Palace
12,444 , 51–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 69 ,
10:00p.m. EST , @

W 111–108
, Dumars (27) , Rodman (7) , Dumars,
Thomas (4) , Seattle Center Coliseum
14,810 , 52–17 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 70 ,
9:00p.m. EDT , @ L.A. Clippers
W 117–101
, Dumars (23) , Laimbeer (18) , Dumars,
Thomas (7) , Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
14,309 , 54–16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 71 ,
10:30p.m. EDT , @ Portland
L 100–118
, Rodman (16) , Rodman (18) , Dumars (6) , Memorial Coliseum
12,880 , 53–18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 72 ,
7:30p.m. EDT ,

W 115–108
, Dumars (20) , Laimbeer (22) , Thomas (10) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 54–18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 73 ,
8:00p.m. EDT , @

W 114–112 (OT)
, Johnson (30) , Mahorn (11) , Dumars,
Johnson (8) , Chicago Stadium
18,678 , 55–18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 74 ,
7:00p.m. EDT ,

W 100–91
, Aguirre (20) , Aguirre (11) , Dumars (13) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 56–18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 75 ,
7:30p.m. EDT , @ Washington
W 124–100
, Laimbeer (27) , Laimbeer (11) , Dumars (11) , Capital Centre
11,305 , 57–18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 76 ,
7:30p.m. EDT ,

W 107–95
, Johnson (31) , Mahorn (11) , Dumars (11) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 58–18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 77 ,
8:00p.m. EDT , @ New York
L 100–104
, Laimbeer (19) , Rodman (10) , Dumars (8) ,

19,591 , 58–19 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 78 ,
7:00p.m. EDT , Washington
W 104–98
, Aguirre (19) , Laimbeer (10) , Dumars,
Thomas (7) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 59–19 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 79 ,
7:30p.m. EDT , @

W 118–102
, Dumars (42) , Mahorn (11) , Dumars (11) , Richfield Coliseum
20,273 , 60–19 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 80 ,
7:30p.m. EDT ,

W 115–105
, Dumars (20) , Rodman (14) , Dumars (11) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 61–19 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 81 ,
8:00p.m. EDT ,

W 100–91
, Aguirre (22) , Mahorn (9) , Dumars (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 62–19 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 82 ,
3:30p.m. EDT ,

W 99–81
, Johnson (23) , Rodman (13) , Dumars (4) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 63–19

Playoffs

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 1 ,
8:00p.m. EDT ,

W 101–91
, Dumars (25) , Laimbeer (12) , Thomas (10) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 2 ,
3:30p.m. EDT ,

W 102–95
, Thomas (26) , Laimbeer (15) , Thomas (8) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 2–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 3 ,
8:00p.m. EDT , @

W 100–85
, Johnson (25) , Rodman (9) , Thomas (10) , Boston Garden
14,890 , 3–0 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 1 ,
8:00p.m. EDT ,

W 85–80
, Laimbeer (19) , Laimbeer (17) , Dumars (6) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 2 ,
8:00p.m. EDT ,

W 112–92
, Salley (23) , Rodman (13) , Thomas (10) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 2–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 3 ,
3:30p.m. EDT , @

W 110–90
, Thomas (26) , Laimbeer (11) , Dumars (10) , Bradley Center
18,633 , 3–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 4 ,
8:00p.m. EDT , @

W 96–94
, Dumars (22) , Thomas (10) , Thomas (13) , Bradley Center
18,633 , 4–0 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 1 ,
1:00p.m. EDT ,

L 88–94
, Mahorn (17) , Laimbeer (15) , Thomas (10) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 0–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 2 ,
8:00p.m. EDT ,

W 100–91
, Thomas (33) , Rodman (12) , Thomas (4) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 1–1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" , 3 ,
2:00p.m. EDT , @

L 97–99
, Aguirre (25) , Rodman (13) , Thomas (11) , Chicago Stadium
18,676 , 1–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 4 ,
3:00p.m. EDT , @

W 86–80
, Thomas (27) , Rodman (18) , Thomas (6) , Chicago Stadium
18,676 , 2–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 5 ,
8:00p.m. EDT ,

W 94–85
, Johnson (22) , Rodman (14) , Thomas (12) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 3–2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 6 ,
9:00p.m. EDT , @

W 103–94
, Thomas (33) , Rodman (15) , Dumars (9) , Chicago Stadium
18,676 , 4–2 , - , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 1 ,
9:00p.m. EDT , L.A. Lakers
W 109–97
, Thomas (24) , Aguirre,
Rodman (10) , Thomas (9) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 1–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 2 ,
9:00p.m. EDT , L.A. Lakers
W 108–105
, Dumars (33) , Aguirre (6) , Thomas (7) , The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 , 2–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 3 ,
3:30p.m. EDT , @ L.A. Lakers
W 114–110
, Dumars (31) , Rodman (19) , Thomas (8) ,

17,505 , 3–0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" , 4 ,
9:00p.m. EDT , @ L.A. Lakers
W 105–97
, Dumars (23) , Johnson,
Laimbeer (6) , Dumars,
Johnson,
Thomas (5) ,

17,505 , 4–0 , -

Playoffs

After finishing with the best record in the NBA, the Pistons swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference finals, they faced the

, whom they had defeated in the conference semifinals a year earlier. Although the Bulls were able to win two of the first three games, the Pistons' use of their " Jordan Rules" defense wore out

, setting up Detroit's second consecutive

NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern and Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven series to determine the league ...

appearance against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Game officials

Pre season

Regular season

Playoffs

Player stats

Regular season

Playoffs

Player Statistics Citation:

NBA Finals

The Pistons' overpowering play allowed them to sweep the Lakers, who struggled to fill the defensive void left by Byron Scott's injury prior to the start of the Finals. Joe Dumars was named Finals MVP. In addition, Magic Johnson pulled a hamstring early in the second game, and unable to play the rest of the series. The Lakers' depleted backcourt allowed the Pistons to easily win the 1988–89 NBA Championship. ''Pistons win series 4–0''

Award winners

* Joe Dumars,

NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award The Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (formerly known as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 1969 NBA Finals. The award is decided by a panel of eleven media ...

* Joe Dumars, NBA All-Defensive First Team * Dennis Rodman, NBA All-Defensive First Team

External links

*
Detroit Pistons on Basketball Reference

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Detroit Pistons Season Det Detroit Pistons seasons Eastern Conference (NBA) championship seasons NBA championship seasons