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).

- end of timeline