Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Rivalry

Spanning across different eras and marked by intense playoff battles, the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons is one of the greatest in NBA history. The Lakers vs Pistons were battles of contrasting styles. On one side, there was a star-studded glamor of the Lakers and on the other, there was the gritty, hard-nosed style of the Pistons.

The rivalry reached its peak in the NBA Finals during the late '80s and early 2000s, showcasing basketball at its highest level. The Lakers-Pistons trilogy, 1988, 1989 and 2004 Finals has left an indelible mark on the memories of NBA fans.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons

Detroit Gems

Prior to the iconic rivalry that unfolded between the Pistons and Lakers, there lies an intriguing connection that initially linked these two storied franchises. Believe it or not, but the origins of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise can be traced back to the city of Detroit!

There was a basketball team that was initially established in 1946 as the Detroit Gems and they played in the National Basketball League, a predecessor organization to the National Basketball Association. However, facing financial challenges, the Gems franchise underwent a transformative journey, moving to Minneapolis in 1947 and adopting the name "Lakers" as a nod to the abundant lakes in the region.

In Minneapolis, the Lakers achieved remarkable success, capturing five championships in the early years of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Then the Minneapolis Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960.

Minneapolis Lakers vs Fort Wayne Pistons

Before the Pistons established themselves in Detroit, the city of Fort Wayne in Indiana had a team known as the Pistons. Throughout the early 1950s, the Minneapolis Lakers and Fort Wayne Pistons faced off in the playoffs on several occasions.

In 1950, the Minneapolis Lakers led by NBA’s first ever superstar George Mikan asserted their dominance on the Fort Wayne Pistons. This victory set the stage for subsequent battles through the decade. The 1953 encounter saw the Lakers emerge victorious once again, narrowly winning 3-2. As the rivalry intensified next year, the Lakers secured another 2-0 triumph, led by Mikan.

However, the Fort Wayne Pistons finally retaliated in 1955, overcoming the Mikan-less Lakers with a 3-1 triumph en route to an NBA Finals appearance. The rivalry continued to unfold in 1957, with the Lakers securing another 2-0 win. After this matchup, the Pistons underwent a transformative move, relocating from Fort Wayne to Detroit, setting the stage for a new chapter in their rivalry.

In 1959, the Minneapolis Lakers faced the Detroit Pistons in a closely contested matchup that culminated in a 2-1 victory for the Lakers, and just the following season, in 1960, the Lakers once again dominated the Pistons with a resounding 2-0 win.

First Ever Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Playoffs Matchup

The year 1961 witnessed the first-ever playoff clash between the Lakers and Pistons, as they battled in the Western Division Semifinals. Led by the dynamic young duo of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, the Lakers emerged triumphant in a hard-fought series, securing a 3-2 victory.

The following season, in 1962, the rivalry reached new heights as teams clashed in the Western Division Finals. The Lakers again showcased their resilience, and claimed a 4-2 victory to further solidify their dominance over the Pistons.

“Showtime” Lakers vs “Bad Boys” Pistons

The pinnacle of the Lakers-Pistons rivalry was reached in the late '80s when the Lakers played against the Pistons in the 1988 and 1989 NBA finals. The Pistons were nicknamed as the "Bad Boys'' Pistons due to their hard-nosed defense and overall aggressive style of play. They were coached by legendary coach Chuck Daley and had Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman and Bill Laimbeer leading the team. Meanwhile, the “Showtime Lakers” featured legends Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy, and were coached by Hall of Famer Pat Riley.

The 1988 NBA Finals: “Phantom Call” Controversy

The Lakers vs Pistons 1988 Finals was a clash of contrasting styles and it has now become immortalized with the infamous “Phantom Call” controversy in Game 6.

The Pistons started the 1988 NBA Finals with a stunning 105–93 victory in Game 1 at The L.A. Forum, signaling their intent to challenge the Lakers' dominance. The ensuing battles were fiercely contested, and by Game 6, the Pistons held a 3–2 series lead. The Game 6 turned out to be an all-time classic, with Isiah Thomas delivering an extraordinary performance despite suffering from a badly sprained ankle. In the third quarter alone, Thomas showcased his resilience by scoring an astounding 25 points.

However, this iconic performance was ruined due to a controversial referee call in the closing moments of Game 6. With the Pistons leading 102–101 and a mere 14 seconds left on the clock, a controversial foul was called on Pistons center Bill Laimbeer. When trailing by one point, the Lakers decided to pass the ball to Abdul-Jabbar who tried to spin and hit his trademark skyhook over Laimbeer and actually missed it, but referees blew the whistle and awarded two free throws to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

This contentious decision paved the way for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to step up to the charity stripe, where he sank both the free throws and gave the Lakers the lead, securing a narrow 103–102 victory for the Lakers and forcing a decisive Game 7.

Even to this day, every Pistons fan and many believe that Abdul-Jabbar wasn’t fouled at all and it has since become infamous as the "Phantom Foul." Adding to the controversy, Abdul-Jabbar was observed moving his pivot foot while taking his skyhook shot, an action that should have been deemed traveling.

The drama of this iconic 1988 NBA Finals reached its peak in the deciding game, where both teams fought tooth and nail for the championship. In the end, the Lakers managed to escape with a 108–105 win, clinching their fifth NBA title during the 1980s.

James Worthy emerged as the hero of Game 7, delivering a phenomenal performance with 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. His all-around excellence earned him the NBA Finals MVP, capping off a series filled with high stakes, controversies, iconic performances, unforgettable moments, and a triumphant conclusion for the Lakers.

1989 NBA Finals: Bad Boys Win Against the Showtime Lakers

The 1989 NBA Finals marked another highly anticipated rematch between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons. Despite the Lakers being favored, the Bad Boys Pistons, known for their physical style of play and superior defense, had different plans.

From the get-go, the Pistons employed their trademark aggressive play and tenacious defense as they overwhelmed the Lakers in a stunning display of two-way lethal gameplay. The Pistons' commitment to their unique style proved too much for the Lakers to overcome.

In a surprising turn of events, the Detroit Pistons managed to sweep the Los Angeles Lakers, securing their first-ever NBA championship. This victory was a historic moment for the Pistons franchise and solidified their reputation as a formidable force in the league. The Lakers, accustomed to championship glory, found themselves outplayed and outmatched by the gritty Pistons.

Pistons shooting guard Joe Dumars played a pivotal role in the team's success and was duly recognized for his contributions. He was awarded the NBA Finals MVP, a testament to his exceptional performance throughout the series.

2004 NBA Finals: Shaq-Kobe Lakeshow vs “Goin’ to Work” Pistons

The 2004 NBA Finals brought together a new generation of the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers in a clash that would be remembered for many years. The Lakers, boasting a star-studded roster featuring four NBA superstars in Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Karl Malone, were favorites for the 2004 NBA championship.

Facing them were the defensively formidable Detroit Pistons, led by Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace. Despite being perceived as underdogs, the Pistons were unfazed and locked in. They kept their faith in their defense oriented team-basketball style and got the results they wanted.

The Lakers, entering the NBA Finals as the favorites, were taken aback by the Pistons' tenacity in Game 1 in Los Angeles. The Pistons secured a surprising victory, setting the tone for a series filled with unexpected twists. Although the Lakers managed to pull off an overtime win in Game 2, thanks to Kobe Bryant's clutch 3-pointer, the series was tied as it shifted to Detroit.

However, on the Pistons’ home court, everyone witnessed what “Going’ to work” Pistons were all about. They played relentless team basketball and physical defense which proved insurmountable for the Lakers. Their 4-1 triumph against the Lakers secured the franchise's third NBA title overall and left an indelible mark on the basketball landscape.

Chauncey Billups, the orchestrator of the Pistons' success, emerged as a key figure in their championship run and was named Finals MVP.

2021: Malice at the Palace 2.0

The Lakers and Pistons rivalry post the 2004 Finals dwindled, as their games were confined to traditional inter-conference regular season matchups.

However, on November 21, 2021, the Lakers vs Pistons rivalry reignited. A big incident erupted between LeBron James and Isaiah Stewart, as both engaged in a fierce struggle for position during a free throw. In the midst of the jostling, their arms became intertwined, and James inadvertently struck Stewart with an elbow.

Isaiah Stewart found himself with blood streaming from above his eye, and he was visibly upset at LeBron James’ elbow hit. Teammates and coaches intervened, guiding the visibly incensed Stewart away from the spot where the contact occurred. However, a frustrated Stewart attempted to confront James aggressively.