# List of Detroit Pistons seasons

This is a list of seasons completed by the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association. The franchise was founded in 1941 as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in the National Basketball League and as the Fort Wayne Pistons joined the Basketball Association of America, which was the precursor to the NBA. However, the games won and lost in the NBL are not included in the franchise total.
The Pistons have had three main periods of success. In the early years of the NBA the team reached the NBA Finals twice in consecutive years before falling to the Lakers and then to the St. Louis Hawks. Following an extended era of mediocrity the Pistons, led by the Hall of Fame backcourt of Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars and nicknamed the "Bad Boys" for their intimidating defence, posted winning records every seasons from 1983–84 to 1991–92, and after narrowly losing in 1988, ended the Lakers dynasty of the 1980s the following season and repeated the following year. The Pistons’ third period of success, with former on-court star Dumars serving as general manager and building a top team from other franchises’ discards, occurred between 2001–02 and 2007–08 when the team won fifty games or more during every season, including a third NBA title in 2003–04 and a franchise record total of wins two seasons later.
The Pistons have experienced two major periods of failure. Between 1956–57 and 1982–83, the Pistons had just three winning seasons and overall had a winning percentage of .417, culminating in a combined record of 37–127 (win percent .226) in the 1979–80 and 1980–81 seasons, after which the drafting of Isiah Thomas completely revitalized the franchise. The franchise's last playoff game wins came in the 2007–08 season (they made the playoffs the next year but were swept in the 1st round). Since 2008–09, the Pistons have had only two seasons with at least a .500 winning percentage, have made the postseason only three times, and have an overall winning percentage of .363.

## Seasons

| NBL champions | NBA champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth |
| Season | Team | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head Coach |
| Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL) |||||||||||||
| — | 1941–42 | — | — | — | 2nd | 15 | 9 | .625 | 5 | Won NBL Semifinals (Wingfoots) 2–1 Lost NBL Championship (All-Stars) 2–1 | | Carl Bennett |
| — | 1942–43 | — | — | — | 1st | 17 | 6 | .739 | — | Won NBL Semifinals (Flyers) 2–1 Lost NBL Championship (Red Skins) 2–1 | Bobby McDermott (MVP) | Carl Bennett |
| — | 1943–44 | — | — | — | 1st | 18 | 4 | .818 | — | Won NBL Semifinals (Brassmen) 2–0 Won NBL Championship (Red Skins) 3–0 | Bobby McDermott (MVP, COY) | Bobby McDermott |
| — | 1944–45 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 25 | 5 | .833 | — | Won Division semifinals (Transfers) 2–0 Won NBL Championship (Red Skins) 3–2 | Bobby McDermott (MVP, COY) | Bobby McDermott |
| — | 1945–46 | — | — | Eastern | 1st | 26 | 8 | .765 | — | Lost Division semifinals (Royals) 3–1 | Bobby McDermott (MVP) | Carl Bennett |
| — | 1946–47 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd | 25 | 19 | .568 | 6 | Won Opening Round (Jeeps) 3–2 Lost Division semifinals (Royals) 2–1 | | Bobby McDermott Carl Bennett Curly Armstrong |
| — | 1947–48 | — | — | Eastern | 3rd | 40 | 20 | .667 | 4 | Lost Opening Round (Royals) 3–1 | | Carl Bennett |
| Fort Wayne Pistons |||||||||||||
| 1948–49 | 1948–49 | — | — | Western | 5th | 22 | 38 | .367 | 23 | | | Carl Bennett Curly Armstrong |
| 1949–50 | 1949–50 | — | — | Central | 4th | 40 | 28 | .588 | 11 | Won Division semifinals (Royals) 2–0 Lost Division finals (Lakers) 2–0 | | Murray Mendenhall |
| 1950–51 | 1950–51 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 32 | 36 | .471 | 12 | Lost Division semifinals (Royals) 2–1 | | Murray Mendenhall |
| 1951–52 | 1951–52 | — | — | Western | 4th | 29 | 37 | .439 | 12 | Lost Division semifinals (Royals) 2–0 | | Paul Birch |
| 1952–53 | 1952–53 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 36 | 33 | .522 | 11.5 | Won Division semifinals (Royals) 2–1 Lost Division finals (Lakers) 3–2 | Don Meineke (ROY) | Paul Birch |
| 1953–54 | 1953–54 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 40 | 32 | .556 | 6 | Lost Round-Robin (Royals) 2–0 Lost Round-Robin (Lakers) 2–0 | | Paul Birch |
| 1954–55 | 1954–55 | — | — | Western | 1st | 43 | 29 | .597 | — | Won Division finals (Lakers) 3–1 Lost NBA Finals (Nationals) 4–3 | | Charley Eckman |
| 1955–56 | 1955–56 | — | — | Western | 1st | 37 | 35 | .514 | — | Won Division finals (Hawks) 3–2 Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–1 | | Charley Eckman |
| 1956–57 | 1956–57 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 34 | 38 | .472 | — | Lost Division semifinals (Lakers) 2–0 | | Charley Eckman |
| Detroit Pistons |||||||||||||
| 1957–58 | 1957–58 | — | — | Western | 2nd | 33 | 39 | .458 | 8 | Won Division semifinals (Royals) 2–0 Lost Division finals (Hawks) 4–1 | | Charley Eckman Red Rocha |
| 1958–59 | 1958–59 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 28 | 44 | .389 | 21 | Lost Division semifinals (Lakers) 2–1 | | Red Rocha |
| 1959–60 | 1959–60 | — | — | Western | 2nd | 30 | 45 | .400 | 16 | Lost Division semifinals (Lakers) 2–0 | | Red Rocha Dick McGuire |
| 1960–61 | 1960–61 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 34 | 45 | .430 | 17 | Lost Division semifinals (Lakers) 3–2 | | Dick McGuire |
| 1961–62 | 1961–62 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 37 | 43 | .463 | 17 | Won Division semifinals (Royals) 3–1 Lost Division finals (Lakers) 4–2 | | Dick McGuire |
| 1962–63 | 1962–63 | — | — | Western | 3rd | 34 | 46 | .425 | 19 | Lost Division semifinals (Hawks) 3–1 | | Dick McGuire |
| 1963–64 | 1963–64 | — | — | Western | 5th | 23 | 57 | .288 | 25 | | | Charles Wolf |
| 1964–65 | 1964–65 | — | — | Western | 4th | 31 | 49 | .388 | 18 | | | Charles Wolf Dave DeBusschere |
| 1965–66 | 1965–66 | — | — | Western | 5th | 22 | 58 | .275 | 23 | | | Dave DeBusschere |
| 1966–67 | 1966–67 | — | — | Western | 5th | 30 | 51 | .370 | 14 | | Dave Bing (ROY) | Dave DeBusschere Donnis Butcher |
| 1967–68 | 1967–68 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 40 | 42 | .488 | 22 | Lost Division semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 | | Donnis Butcher |
| 1968–69 | 1968–69 | — | — | Eastern | 6th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 25 | | | Donnis Butcher Paul Seymour |
| 1969–70 | 1969–70 | — | — | Eastern | 7th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 29 | | | Butch van Breda Kolff |
| 1970–71 | 1970–71 | Western | 6th | Midwest | 4th | 45 | 37 | .549 | 21 | | | Butch van Breda Kolff |
| 1971–72 | 1971–72 | Western | 8th | Midwest | 4th | 26 | 56 | .317 | 37 | | | Butch van Breda Kolff Terry Dischinger Earl Lloyd |
| 1972–73 | 1972–73 | Western | 5th | Midwest | 3rd | 40 | 42 | .488 | 20 | | | Earl Lloyd Ray Scott |
| 1973–74 | 1973–74 | Western | 4th | Midwest | 3rd | 52 | 30 | .634 | 7 | Lost conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–3 | Ray Scott (COY) Bob Lanier (ASG MVP) | Ray Scott |
| 1974–75 | 1974–75 | Western | 5th | Midwest | 3rd | 40 | 42 | .488 | 7 | Lost First round (SuperSonics) 2–1 | | Ray Scott |
| 1975–76 | 1975–76 | Western | 5th | Midwest | 2nd | 36 | 46 | .439 | 2 | Won First round (Bucks) 2–1 Lost conference semifinals (Warriors) 4–2 | | Ray Scott Herb Brown |
| 1976–77 | 1976–77 | Western | 5th | Midwest | 2nd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 6 | Lost First round (Warriors) 2–1 | | Herb Brown |
| 1977–78 | 1977–78 | Western | 9th | Midwest | 4th | 38 | 44 | .463 | 10 | | Bob Lanier (JWKC) | Herb Brown Bob Kauffman |
| 1978–79 | 1978–79 | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 18 | | | Dick Vitale |
| 1979–80 | 1979–80 | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 16 | 66 | .195 | 34 | | | Dick Vitale Richie Adubato |
| 1980–81 | 1980–81 | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 21 | 61 | .256 | 39 | | | Scotty Robertson |
| 1981–82 | 1981–82 | Eastern | 7th | Central | 3rd | 39 | 43 | .476 | 16 | | Kent Benson (JWKC) | Scotty Robertson |
| 1982–83 | 1982–83 | Eastern | 8th | Central | 3rd | 37 | 45 | .451 | 14 | | | Scotty Robertson |
| 1983–84 | 1983–84 | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 49 | 33 | .598 | 1 | Lost First round (Knicks) 3–2 | Isiah Thomas (ASG MVP) | Chuck Daly |
| 1984–85 | 1984–85 | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 46 | 36 | .561 | 13 | Won First round (Nets) 3–0 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 | | Chuck Daly |
| 1985–86 | 1985–86 | Eastern | 5th | Central | 3rd | 46 | 36 | .561 | 11 | Lost First round (Hawks) 3–1 | Isiah Thomas (ASG MVP) | Chuck Daly |
| 1986–87 | 1986–87 | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 52 | 30 | .634 | 5 | Won First round (Bullets) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–1 Lost conference finals (Celtics) 4–3 | Isiah Thomas (JWKC) | Chuck Daly |
| 1987–88 | 1987–88 | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 54 | 28 | .659 | — | Won First round (Bullets) 3–2 Won conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–1 Won conference finals (Celtics) 4–2 Lost NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–3 | | Chuck Daly |
| 1988–89 | 1988–89 | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 63 | 19 | .768 | — | Won First round (Celtics) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (Bucks) 4–0 Won conference finals (Bulls) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–0 | Joe Dumars (FMVP) | Chuck Daly |
| 1989–90 | 1989–90 | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 59 | 23 | .720 | — | Won First round (Pacers) 3–0 Won conference semifinals (Knicks) 4–1 Won conference finals (Bulls) 4–3 Won NBA Finals (Trail Blazers) 4–1 | Isiah Thomas (FMVP) Dennis Rodman (DPOY) | Chuck Daly |
| 1990–91 | 1990–91 | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 50 | 32 | .610 | 11 | Won First round (Hawks) 3–2 Won conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Bulls) 4–0 | Dennis Rodman (DPOY) | Chuck Daly |
| 1991–92 | 1991–92 | Eastern | 5th | Central | 3rd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 19 | Lost First round (Knicks) 3–2 | | Chuck Daly |
| 1992–93 | 1992–93 | Eastern | 10th | Central | 6th | 40 | 42 | .488 | 17 | | | Ron Rothstein |
| 1993–94 | 1993–94 | Eastern | 14th | Central | 6th | 20 | 62 | .244 | 37 | | Joe Dumars (JWKC) | Don Chaney |
| 1994–95 | 1994–95 | Eastern | 12th | Central | 7th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 24 | | Grant Hill (ROY) | Don Chaney |
| 1995–96 | 1995–96 | Eastern | 7th | Central | 5th | 46 | 36 | .561 | 26 | Lost First round (Magic) 3–0 | Joe Dumars (SPOR) | Doug Collins |
| 1996–97 | 1996–97 | Eastern | 5th | Central | 4th | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 | Lost First round (Hawks) 3–2 | | Doug Collins |
| 1997–98 | 1997–98 | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | | | Doug Collins Alvin Gentry |
| 1998–99 | 1998–99 | Eastern | 5th | Central | 3rd | 29 | 21 | .580 | 4 | Lost First round (Hawks) 3–2 | | Alvin Gentry |
| 1999–00 | 1999–00 | Eastern | 7th | Central | 5th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 14 | Lost First round (Heat) 3–0 | | Alvin Gentry George Irvine |
| 2000–01 | 2000–01 | Eastern | 10th | Central | 5th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 20 | | | George Irvine |
| 2001–02 | 2001–02 | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 50 | 32 | .610 | — | Won First round (Raptors) 3–2 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–1 | Ben Wallace (DPOY) Corliss Williamson (SIX) Rick Carlisle (COY) | Rick Carlisle |
| 2002–03 | 2002–03 | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 50 | 32 | .610 | — | Won First round (Magic) 4–3 Won conference semifinals (76ers) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Nets) 4–0 | Ben Wallace (DPOY) Joe Dumars (EOY) | Rick Carlisle |
| 2003–04 | 2003–04 | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 54 | 28 | .659 | 7 | Won First round (Bucks) 4–1 Won conference semifinals (Nets) 4–3 Won conference finals (Pacers) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Lakers) 4–1 | Chauncey Billups (FMVP) | Larry Brown |
| 2004–05 | 2004–05 | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 54 | 28 | .659 | — | Won First round (76ers) 4–1 Won conference semifinals (Pacers) 4–2 Won conference finals (Heat) 4–3 Lost NBA Finals (Spurs) 4–3 | Ben Wallace (DPOY) | Larry Brown |
| 2005–06 | 2005–06 | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 64 | 18 | .780 | — | Won First round (Bucks) 4–1 Won conference semifinals (Cavaliers) 4–3 Lost conference finals (Heat) 4–2 | Ben Wallace (DPOY) | Flip Saunders |
| 2006–07 | 2006–07 | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 53 | 29 | .646 | — | Won First round (Magic) 4–0 Won conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Cavaliers) 4–2 | | Flip Saunders |
| 2007–08 | 2007–08 | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 59 | 23 | .720 | — | Won First round (76ers) 4–2 Won conference semifinals (Magic) 4–1 Lost conference finals (Celtics) 4–2 | Chauncey Billups (JWKC) | Flip Saunders |
| 2008–09 | 2008–09 | Eastern | 8th | Central | 3rd | 39 | 43 | .476 | 27 | Lost First round (Cavaliers) 4–0 | | Michael Curry |
| 2009–10 | 2009–10 | Eastern | 12th | Central | 5th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 | | | John Kuester |
| 2010–11 | 2010–11 | Eastern | 11th | Central | 4th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 32 | | | John Kuester |
| 2011–12 | 2011–12 | Eastern | 10th | Central | 4th | 25 | 41 | .379 | 25 | | | Lawrence Frank |
| 2012–13 | 2012–13 | Eastern | 11th | Central | 4th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 20.5 | | | Lawrence Frank |
| 2013–14 | 2013–14 | Eastern | 11th | Central | 4th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 27 | | | Maurice Cheeks John Loyer |
| 2014–15 | 2014–15 | Eastern | 12th | Central | 5th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 21 | | | Stan Van Gundy |
| 2015–16 | 2015–16 | Eastern | 8th | Central | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 13 | Lost First round (Cavaliers) 4–0 | | Stan Van Gundy |
| 2016–17 | 2016–17 | Eastern | 10th | Central | 5th | 37 | 45 | .451 | 14 | | | Stan Van Gundy |
| 2017–18 | 2017–18 | Eastern | 9th | Central | 4th | 39 | 43 | .476 | 11 | | | Stan Van Gundy |
| 2018–19 | 2018–19 | Eastern | 8th | Central | 3rd | 41 | 41 | .500 | 19 | Lost First round (Bucks) 4–0 | | Dwane Casey |
| 2019–20 | 2019–20 | Eastern | 13th | Central | 4th | 20 | 46 | .303 | 32.5 | | | Dwane Casey |
| 2020–21 | 2020–21 | Eastern | 15th | Central | 5th | 20 | 52 | .278 | 26 | | | Dwane Casey |
| 2021–22 | 2021–22 | Eastern | 14th | Central | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 30 | | | Dwane Casey |
| 2022–23 | 2022–23 | Eastern | 15th | Central | 5th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 41 | | | Dwane Casey |
| 2023–24 | 2023–24 | Eastern | 15th | Central | 5th | 14 | 68 | .171 | 50 | | | Monty Williams |

## All-time records
### NBA records

| Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% |
| Regular season record (1948–present) | 2,827 | 3,171 | .471 |
| Post-season record (1948–present) | 188 | 182 | .508 |
| All-time regular and post-season record | 3,015 | 3,353 | .473 |

### NBL records

| Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% |
| Regular season record (1941–1948) | 166 | 71 | .700 |
| Post-season record (1941–1948) | 22 | 18 | .550 |
| All-time regular and post-season record | 188 | 89 | .679 |