Detroit Pistons Playoff History: Series by Year
This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Detroit Pistons. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 1949 to the present.
In their 77 seasons in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons made the postseason 42 times. On those years they have played a total of 77 playoff series, of which they won 39 and lost 38, for a 50.6 winning percentge. Additionally, they also were part of a group with round robin format in 1954.
So far, they have reached the NBA Finals 7 times and have won 3 Championships.
Detroit Pistons Playoffs Timeline
2025 Playoffs
Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.
2024 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (14-68 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).
2023 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (17-65 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).
2022 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-59 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).
2021 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-52 season record, 15th in the Eastern Conference).
2020 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-46 season record, 13th in the Eastern Conference).
2019 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 0-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round
2018 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).
2017 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (37-45 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).
2016 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (44-38 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 0-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round
* The Cavaliers ended up winning the Championship.
2015 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).
2014 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).
2013 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).
2012 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (25-41 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).
2011 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).
2010 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).
2009 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference (39-43 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 0-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round
2008 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (59-23 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Orlando Magic 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals
* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.
2007 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (53-29 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Orlando Magic 4-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals
2006 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (64-18 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Miami Heat 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals
* The Heat ended up winning the Championship.
2005 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (54-28 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Defeated the Miami Heat 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals -
-
Lost to the San Antonio Spurs 3-4 in the NBA Finals
2004 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (54-28 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the New Jersey Nets 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals -
-
Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the NBA Finals
The Pistons won the Championship in 2004, it was the 3rd NBA title in franchise history.
2003 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Orlando Magic 4-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Lost to the New Jersey Nets 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals
2002 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Toronto Raptors 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
2001 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).
2000 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (42-40 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Miami Heat 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
1999 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (29-21 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Atlanta Hawks 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
1998 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (37-45 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).
1997 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (54-28 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Atlanta Hawks 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
1996 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Orlando Magic 0-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
1995 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 12th in the Eastern Conference).
1994 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-62 season record, 14th in the Eastern Conference).
1993 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 10th in the Eastern Conference).
1992 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (48-34 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the New York Knicks 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
1991 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (50-32 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Chicago Bulls 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals
* The Bulls ended up winning the Championship.
1990 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (59-23 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Indiana Pacers 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the New York Knicks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals -
-
Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 in the NBA Finals
The Pistons won the Championship in 1990, it was the 2nd NBA title in franchise history.
1989 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference (63-19 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Boston Celtics 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals -
-
Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 in the NBA Finals
The Pistons won the Championship in 1989, it was the 1st NBA title in franchise history.
1988 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (54-28 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Washington Bullets 3-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Defeated the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals -
-
Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the NBA Finals
1987 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference (52-30 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Washington Bullets 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Boston Celtics 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals
1986 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Atlanta Hawks 1-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
1985 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (46-36 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the New Jersey Nets 3-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round -
-
Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
1984 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (49-33 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the New York Knicks 2-3 in the Eastern Conference First Round
1983 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (37-45 season record, 8th in the Eastern Conference).
1982 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 7th in the Eastern Conference).
1981 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-61 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).
1980 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (16-66 season record, 11th in the Eastern Conference).
1979 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 8th in the Eastern Conference).
1978 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (38-44 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).
1977 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (44-38 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Golden State Warriors 1-2 in the Western Conference First Round
1976 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (36-46 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 2-1 in the Western Conference First Round -
-
Lost to the Golden State Warriors 2-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals
1975 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (40-42 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 1-2 in the Western Conference First Round
1974 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (52-30 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Chicago Bulls 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals
1973 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 5th in the Western Conference).
1972 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (26-56 season record, 8th in the Western Conference).
1971 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (45-37 season record, 5th in the Western Conference).
1970 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-51 season record, 7th in the Eastern Division).
1969 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 6th in the Eastern Division).
1968 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Division (40-42 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the Eastern Division Semifinals
* The Celtics ended up winning the Championship.
1967 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-51 season record, 5th in the Western Division).
1966 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-58 season record, 5th in the Western Division).
1965 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-49 season record, 4th in the Western Division).
1964 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (23-57 season record, 5th in the Western Division).
1963 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (34-46 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the St. Louis Hawks 1-3 in the Western Division Semifinals
1962 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (37-43 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Cincinnati Royals 3-1 in the Western Division Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 2-4 in the Western Division Finals
1961 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (34-45 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 2-3 in the Western Division Semifinals
1960 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (30-45 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 0-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
1959 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (28-44 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 1-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
1958 Playoffs
The Detroit Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Division (33-39 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Cincinnati Royals 2-0 in the Western Division Semifinals -
-
Lost to the St. Louis Hawks 1-4 in the Western Division Finals
* The Hawks ended up winning the Championship.
1957 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (34-38 season record). They lost to the Hawks in the Western Division Tiebraker.
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 0-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
1956 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (37-35 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the St. Louis Hawks 3-2 in the Western Division Finals -
-
Lost to the Philadelphia Warriors 1-4 in the NBA Finals
1955 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Division (43-29 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Minneapolis Lakers 3-1 in the Western Division Finals -
-
Lost to the Syracuse Nationals 3-4 in the NBA Finals
1954 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (40-32 season record).
Round Robin:
In the 1954, and for the only time in NBA history, the playoffs included groups with round robin format instead of first round series. The Pistons lost to the Rochester Royals 0-2 and lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 0-2 in the Western Division Round Robin.
1953 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (36-33 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Rochester Royals 2-1 in the Western Division Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 2-3 in the Western Division Finals
* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.
1952 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Division (29-37 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Rochester Royals 0-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
1951 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Division (32-36 season record).
Playoff Series:
-
-
Lost to the Rochester Royals 1-2 in the Western Division Semifinals
* The Royals ended up winning the Championship.
1950 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Central Division (40-28 season record). They defeated the Stags in the Central Division Third Place Tiebreaker.
Playoff Series:
-
-
Defeated the Rochester Royals 2-0 in the Central Division Semifinals -
-
Lost to the Minneapolis Lakers 0-2 in the Central Division Finals
* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.
1949 Playoffs
The Fort Wayne Pistons didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-38 season record, 5th in the Western Division).